Today marks the solemn fifth anniversary of the horrific rape and murder of Sarah Everard, an event that profoundly shocked the United Kingdom and ignited a national reckoning regarding women’s safety and police accountability. Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, issued a powerful statement reflecting on the grim milestone, asserting that while some actions have been taken to improve the police response to violence against women and girls (VAWG), the core issues of misogyny remain deeply rooted and systemic within the police force and the broader criminal justice system. Her comments underscore a pervasive fear among women, particularly those from Black, minoritised, and migrant communities, who feel let down by the very institutions sworn to protect them. Women’s Aid is advocating for a "radical cultural shift" where proactive engagement with specialists and survivors becomes the norm, rather than an isolated initiative, viewing this as the ultimate "litmus test" for meaningful change.
The Tragic Catalyst: Sarah Everard’s Murder
On March 3, 2021, Sarah Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive, disappeared while walking home in South London. Her remains were discovered a week later in Kent. The subsequent investigation revealed that she had been abducted, raped, and murdered by Wayne Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer. Couzens, who had falsely arrested Everard using his police warrant card, was later sentenced to a whole life order, meaning he will never be released from prison. The revelation that a police officer was responsible for such a heinous crime sent shockwaves across the nation, exposing a profound betrayal of public trust and forcing an uncomfortable spotlight onto the internal culture and vetting processes within policing. The incident sparked widespread outrage, grief, and a renewed public discourse on the safety of women and girls in public spaces, and the systemic issues contributing to violence against them. Vigils were held across the country, most notably the "Reclaim These Streets" event on Clapham Common, which tragically saw clashes between attendees and police, further intensifying public scrutiny.
A System Under Scrutiny: Inquiries and Recommendations
In the wake of Everard’s murder, multiple independent reviews and inquiries were launched to address the systemic failings it exposed. One of the most significant was the Angiolini Inquiry, established to investigate Couzens’ conduct and previous allegations made against him, as well as broader issues within policing. The first part of Baroness Louise Casey’s independent review into the Metropolitan Police, published in October 2022, also delivered a damning indictment, finding the force to be institutionally sexist, racist, and homophobic. It highlighted a culture where misogyny was normalized, and where officers often failed to report misconduct or challenge inappropriate behaviour. These reports collectively painted a stark picture of a police service struggling with deep-seated cultural problems, inadequate vetting procedures, and a failure to address serious allegations against its own personnel.
Women’s Aid, in its fifth-anniversary statement, specifically references the government’s acceptance of recommendations made by such investigations, yet expresses profound disappointment at the glacial pace of implementation. Farah Nazeer highlights that by September 2025, over a quarter of police forces in England and Wales had still not implemented basic policies for investigating sexual offences. This statistic is particularly concerning given the government’s stated commitment to tackling VAWG and restoring public confidence in policing. The continued lack of active engagement with domestic abuse organisations across the country, as pointed out by Women’s Aid, further illustrates the gap between rhetoric and reality.
The Survivor’s Experience: A Crisis of Trust
A central theme of Women’s Aid’s critique is the persistent poor and unsupportive responses survivors receive from the police and the broader criminal justice system. This leads many women to choose not to report crimes against them, fearing they will not be believed or that their experiences will be minimised. This crisis of trust is amplified for Black, minoritised, and migrant women, whose historical and ongoing experiences of interacting with law enforcement often compound their fear and reluctance to seek justice. Research consistently shows that women from these communities face additional barriers, including language difficulties, cultural insensitivity, and a heightened risk of discrimination or even deportation, making them even more vulnerable within the system.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) consistently reveal a concerning attrition rate for VAWG cases. For example, while reports of sexual offences have risen, the proportion of cases leading to charge or summons has remained stubbornly low, often below 2%. Similarly, conviction rates for rape and other sexual offences are significantly lower compared to other crime types. This creates a perception, often rooted in reality, that the system is not equipped or willing to deliver justice for survivors, thereby deterring future reporting and perpetuating a cycle of impunity for perpetrators. The government’s pledge to halve VAWG in the next decade, while deeply welcome, will remain an aspirational goal without fundamental changes to how these crimes are investigated and prosecuted.
Demands for Systemic, Holistic Reform
To achieve true change, Women’s Aid argues for a comprehensive, system-wide holistic reform that goes beyond superficial adjustments. This necessitates the government working collaboratively with specialist organisations like Women’s Aid and, critically, with the survivors themselves. The goal is to develop and deliver bespoke training that directly addresses sexism, misogyny, and VAWG across the entire criminal justice system, from initial police response to court proceedings. This includes ensuring that police forces proactively engage with specialist domestic abuse organisations, integrating their expertise into operational practices rather than treating them as optional consultants.
The call for a "whole-system response" is crucial because VAWG is not solely a policing issue. It is intertwined with broader societal attitudes, educational frameworks, public health responses, and economic inequalities. While police reform is a vital component, tackling VAWG effectively requires coordinated action across all these sectors. This involves robust preventative education, accessible and well-funded support services for survivors, improved legal aid, and societal campaigns to challenge harmful gender norms.
Official Responses and the Road Ahead
In response to widespread criticism and public pressure, government bodies and police leadership have made various commitments. The Home Office has outlined a "Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy," promising increased funding for specialist services, improved victim support, and measures to tackle perpetrators. Police forces, particularly the Metropolitan Police, have pledged to overhaul vetting processes, enhance training, and implement stricter disciplinary measures for officers found guilty of misconduct. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has also issued guidance and strategies aimed at improving the police response to VAWG, emphasising the need for a victim-centred approach.
However, Women’s Aid’s statement highlights that these announcements, reports, reviews, and commitments, while numerous, have not yet translated into the meaningful action and cultural shift required. The enduring presence of misogyny, the slow implementation of vital reforms, and the continued poor experiences of survivors underscore the immense challenge ahead. The Angiolini Inquiry’s second part, expected in 2024, is anticipated to delve further into broader issues of police culture and standards, potentially adding more pressure for accelerated reform.
The erosion of public trust in policing, particularly among women, is a significant societal concern. When the very guardians of law and order are perceived as part of the problem, it undermines the fundamental principle of justice and security. Rebuilding this trust will require not only transparent accountability but also a demonstrable and sustained commitment to internal change that prioritises the safety and belief of women.
Ultimately, the fifth anniversary of Sarah Everard’s murder serves as a poignant reminder that the fight against violence against women and girls is far from over. Women’s Aid’s impassioned plea for a radical cultural shift, system-wide reform, and decisive action resonates deeply with the demands of countless survivors and advocates. Sarah Everard, and the countless other women who have lost their lives to violent, predatory men, deserve more than pledges and delayed reforms; they deserve a society where their safety is paramount, and justice is unequivocally served. The time for deliberation has passed; the time for decisive, transformative action is now.
