While domestic abuse charities have praised the home secretary’s acknowledgement of the need for reform, they’ve voiced concern about the plan’s limitations.

“Refuge welcomes the home secretary’s plans to restore confidence in police forces through a major overhaul, which is long overdue. We know firsthand that police have been failing survivors and victims of domestic abuse and male violence against women and girls (VAWG) for far too long,” said Abigail Ampofo, interim CEO of Refuge.

“Despite VAWG being named as a strategic policing priority, women’s confidence in the justice system is currently at a crisis point, and we continue to see shocking levels of abuse perpetrated by police officers themselves,” she continued.

Ampofo added: “It is essential that the police’s handling of VAWG is scrutinised, but this alone isn’t enough. Any powers the new Police Performance Unit has to tackle failing forces must be effective, robustly implemented and focused on improving outcomes for those who have experienced VAWG. Without any measures to introduce accountability and change outcomes for survivors, monitoring is meaningless.”

Isabelle Younane, head of external affairs at Women’s Aid, has also criticised Cooper’s method of reform.

“Today’s announcement does not do enough to address deep-rooted cultural issues nor to attend to the need for funding commitments in other areas that support survivors of domestic abuse,” she said.

“The government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade, and while there are positive steps being taken to achieve this ambitious goal, such as a commitment to refresh the Tackling VAWG Strategy and invest in domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms, there continues to be silence on whether specialist VAWG services – which provide a lifeline to women and children experiencing abuse – will secure the urgent funding they need beyond March 2025. Specialist services continue to be chronically underfunded and unable to provide all survivors with the support they need.”

Younane continued: “Women’s confidence in the police, and the wider criminal justice system is extremely low, with only one in five women reporting their experiences of abuse. As specialist domestic abuse and other VAWG services battle to plug the needs gap this presents for some of the most vulnerable women in our society, we urge government to recognise their importance and invest in their future.”

In the UK, the domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, contact Women’s Aid, Solace or Refuge for advice and support.

Domestic violence charities have responded to the home secretary’s new policing reforms