Greater Manchester Police have issued an important message to victims experiencing domestic or sexual abuse - as the number of arrests made by the force surged.
New data has revealed that in the 12 months to March 2023, officers made 19,588 arrests in connection with domestic abuse - a 79% increase on the previous year. The number of arrests which resulted in a charge or summons also increased by 32%.
In the same period, 3,050 arrests were made in connection with rape and sexual offences - a 33% increase. Charges and summons also increased by 24%. The force say they have also increased the use of Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) over three quarters in the last 12 months.
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DVPNs were rolled out across all police forces in England and Wales from 2014 and allow the police and magistrates' courts to put in place protective measures in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident - where is insufficient evidence to charge a perpetrator and provide protection to a victim.
In a message direct to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, the force's Head of Public Protection, Michaela Kerr, reassured victims that the police force will take them seriously, and ensure they receive the correct support.
It comes after the Manchester Evening News reported that rape victims and survivors in Greater Manchester were being failed by the criminal justice system.
Last year, the force paid out damages to two women over botched sexual assault and rape probes. One woman was awarded an £8,000 pay out after she was told by police 'nothing would come' of her rape complaint.
She told of how a GMP officer dismissed her fears and told her to meet her alleged attacker and 'set the record straight.' Meanwhile, the force was also ordered to pay £2,800 in damages to a homeless woman.
She contacted GMP after claims a man came into her tent in Manchester city centre and put his hands in her clothes. She expected her allegations to be properly investigated.
Officers arrived at the scene but the woman maintains they only spoke to her in the back of a patrol car. No formal statements were ever taken, and while CCTV was reviewed, the case was closed.
Detective Chief Superintendent Kerr acknowledged what whilst the improved arrest rate confirmed that the force is serious to tackling domestic and sexual abuse, there is still room for further improvement.
"In recent months, we have made significant progress in responding to and investigating domestic and sexual abuse," she said.
"Though this is something to be proud of, we are realistic and know that there is always room to improve the service we are delivering to vulnerable people and those who are subjected to the most traumatic of experiences.
"Whilst responding to and investigating these crimes is at the forefront of our strategy to tackle them, so too is preventing them in the first place - to keep people safe and save them from harm’s way. As such, we have increased the use of Domestic Violence Protection Notices by over three quarters in the last 12 months.
"With showcasing our progress comes the opportunity to speak to those who need us most. To anyone who is suffering or has suffered at the hands of a perpetrator of domestic abuse or sex offender, please let this reassure you that GMP will take you seriously, we will ensure you are supported by specialist officers and the network of services across Greater Manchester, we will put you at the heart of our investigations and we will do so with the intention of securing the best possible outcome for you and anyone else affected."
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