CPS Strengthens Efforts Against Violence Towards Women with New Training and Strategy
Published 25 November 2025
Highlights
- The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reports a rise in charges related to violence against women and girls in the South East, with significant overlaps in crime types.
- More than three-quarters of domestic abuse cases in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex result in convictions, highlighting the CPS's progress in securing justice.
- The CPS has launched a five-year strategy to improve prosecutions for violence against women and girls (VAWG), focusing on training and victim support.
- New CPS training will address the "spectrum of abuse," including honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and stalking, to better reflect the complexity of these crimes.
- The government aims to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, amid criticism of its current response to the issue.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: CPS Strengthens Efforts Against Violence Towards Women with New Training and Strategy
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has reported a notable increase in charges related to violence against women and girls in the South East of England, with a particular rise in cases of controlling or coercive behaviour, stalking, and intentional strangulation. This development comes as the CPS unveils a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at enhancing the prosecution of such crimes across England and Wales.
Rising Convictions and Overlapping Crimes
According to the CPS, more than three-quarters of domestic abuse cases in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex now result in convictions. This progress is exemplified by the case of George De Bathe, a serial rapist sentenced to 22 years in July for his heinous acts against five women. Holly Morton, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South East, emphasized the importance of continued efforts, stating, "There is always more to be done in terms of delivering for victims."
The CPS's national data reveals a significant overlap between domestic abuse and other offences, with nearly 70% of harassment cases and over 80% of stalking and revenge porn cases linked to domestic abuse. This underscores the complexity of violence against women, which often involves multiple layers of offending.
New Strategy and Training Initiatives
In response to these challenges, the CPS has launched a five-year Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, prioritizing improved casework quality and increased public trust. The strategy includes new training modules on honour-based abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and stalking or harassment. Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of these crimes, stating, "It is vital we train our staff to recognize the full picture of abuse so the charges we make reflect the totality of the offending."
The strategy also aims to enhance victim support, with dedicated victim liaison officers and pre-trial meetings for adult victims of sexual offences. Ellie Reeves, Solicitor General, acknowledged past shortcomings in CPS communications with victims and emphasized the strategy's focus on improving these interactions.
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Scenario Analysis
The CPS's new strategy and training initiatives mark a significant step forward in addressing violence against women and girls. By recognizing the interconnected nature of these crimes, the CPS aims to improve prosecution outcomes and support for victims. However, the government's broader goal of halving violence against women within a decade will require sustained efforts and collaboration across multiple sectors.
Experts suggest that the success of these initiatives will depend on the effective implementation of training programs and the CPS's ability to adapt to evolving crime patterns. As the CPS continues to refine its approach, ongoing scrutiny and evaluation will be essential to ensure that the strategy delivers meaningful change for victims and society at large.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has reported a notable increase in charges related to violence against women and girls in the South East of England, with a particular rise in cases of controlling or coercive behaviour, stalking, and intentional strangulation. This development comes as the CPS unveils a comprehensive five-year strategy aimed at enhancing the prosecution of such crimes across England and Wales.
Rising Convictions and Overlapping Crimes
According to the CPS, more than three-quarters of domestic abuse cases in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex now result in convictions. This progress is exemplified by the case of George De Bathe, a serial rapist sentenced to 22 years in July for his heinous acts against five women. Holly Morton, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South East, emphasized the importance of continued efforts, stating, "There is always more to be done in terms of delivering for victims."
The CPS's national data reveals a significant overlap between domestic abuse and other offences, with nearly 70% of harassment cases and over 80% of stalking and revenge porn cases linked to domestic abuse. This underscores the complexity of violence against women, which often involves multiple layers of offending.
New Strategy and Training Initiatives
In response to these challenges, the CPS has launched a five-year Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, prioritizing improved casework quality and increased public trust. The strategy includes new training modules on honour-based abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and stalking or harassment. Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of these crimes, stating, "It is vital we train our staff to recognize the full picture of abuse so the charges we make reflect the totality of the offending."
The strategy also aims to enhance victim support, with dedicated victim liaison officers and pre-trial meetings for adult victims of sexual offences. Ellie Reeves, Solicitor General, acknowledged past shortcomings in CPS communications with victims and emphasized the strategy's focus on improving these interactions.
What this might mean
The CPS's new strategy and training initiatives mark a significant step forward in addressing violence against women and girls. By recognizing the interconnected nature of these crimes, the CPS aims to improve prosecution outcomes and support for victims. However, the government's broader goal of halving violence against women within a decade will require sustained efforts and collaboration across multiple sectors.
Experts suggest that the success of these initiatives will depend on the effective implementation of training programs and the CPS's ability to adapt to evolving crime patterns. As the CPS continues to refine its approach, ongoing scrutiny and evaluation will be essential to ensure that the strategy delivers meaningful change for victims and society at large.
