Domestic violence (DV) is a huge problem for society, and for the police. DV accounts for around 15% of all violent crime, and will involve one in four women and one in six men at some point in their lives. Tragically, two women are murdered every week as a result of DV, accounting for a staggering 35% of all murders. DV also has the highest rate of repeat victimisation, a figure which the police and their partners need to work together to reduce. To tackle this horrendous crime, the Government has prodced a National Delivery Plan for Domestic Violence which set out a strategic framework ranging from early intervention and prevention through to the rehabilitation of perpetrators and resettlement of victims. This plan has provided direction to local partnerships, agencies and communities on how to protect adult and child victims and bring perpetrators to justice. Key programmes within the plan are the Tackling Violent Crime Programme (TVCP) and the Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC) Programme. Both programmes have been catalysts for an improved response to DV locally through the fast-tracking of innovative practice aimed at tackling DV. The recent Domestic Violence Enforcement Campaigns (DVECs) which have taken place in the TVCP and SDVC areas have highlighted the need for effective investigation of DV incidents. All those involved have a part to play here, especially police call handlers and those officers who are first on the scene. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Guidance on Investigating Domestic Violence is a key document, as is the guidance on harassment, but other work from the Police Standards Unit, such as the investigation pack and aide-memoire for call handlers (which were sent to areas as part of the DVEC), are also useful. The results from the two campaigns are encouraging as they show that during the second campaign there was a higher tendency for offenders to be charged rather than merely cautioned, and a subsequent increase in the rate of sanction detections. There was also a lower rate of 'no further action', and in 'bail of over four weeks'. Although these results are positive, it is clear that there is still plenty of room for improvement, for example in the number of offenders arrested. Our second campaign was timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup Finals. The results from this campaign support research which suggests a link between sporting events, alcohol consumption and DV. This is something all forces and partners need to be aware of and include in their planning for such events. (Foreword). This report has been archived by UK National Archives. Record #2723

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