A Matter of Trust? Policing violence against women and girls

There is limited research on how police engage with racially minoritised victims and survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly VAWG that occurs at the intersection of race and gender. This article begins to address that gap examining police handling of these cases, as well as police constructions of the barriers they face and what works. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach – including focus groups with 52 police officers across two police forces, analysis of 55 case files involving VAWG (such as rape and sexual assault), and bodycam footage of police callouts – we examine current police practices and accounts about these practices, focusing on cases involving racially minoritised women and girls, and assess why these practices often fall short of victim/survivor needs and expectations. We highlight examples of good practice, alongside challenges and knowledge gaps, to suggest a path forward for more effective and equitable policing.