Image abuse victims ‘failed by shockingly low’ number of perpetrators charged
Less than 5% of intimate image abuse cases in England and Wales led to a perpetrator being charged between July 2021 and February 2024, despite a 26.9% rise in reports. The charity Refuge is calling for improvements in police practice to address the 'shockingly low' charging rates.
Intimate image abuse cases in England and Wales have risen by 26.9% between July 2021 and February 2024, but charging rates remain low. Of 21,905 recorded offences, only 4.8% (1,047) of suspects were charged or summonsed. Nobody was charged in 56% (12,265) of cases despite a perpetrator being identified. Refuge is urging for significant improvements in police practice, including consistent training for police officers. The charity's specialist technology-facilitated abuse team has not supported any survivors whose perpetrator has been convicted since the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Act. Refuge sent Freedom of Information requests to 43 police forces, with 25 replying.
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