Evaluation of three police interventions to tackle violence against women and girls including forensic marking kits, video first response and prevention in schools
Violence against women and girls research reports published
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The College of Policing has published three new research reports examining police interventions designed to reduce violence against women and girls (VAWG). The studies, funded by the Cabinet Office Evaluation Accelerator Fund, tested innovative approaches to prevention and response. The three interventions are:
- Forensic marking
- Police officers in classrooms
- Video first response to non-emergency domestic abuse
Forensic marking
The first study examined forensic marking, where domestic abuse victims apply a chemically marked solution to their property or use handheld sprays to mark offenders who attempt to make unwanted contact.
The evaluation found forensic marking was associated with a 22% reduction in repeat domestic abuse incidents over a six-month period and estimated economic benefits of up to £83 for every pound spent on the intervention.
The study also found that using forensic marking products consistently increased feelings of safety and freedom among victims, who reported that they felt confident enough to resume activities they had previously stopped doing outside of their homes.
Police officers in classrooms
The second study evaluated the impact of police officers delivering lessons in schools on sexual consent and the law to pupils aged 13-15.
The research was conducted in 39 secondary schools and compared the impact of three approaches:
- new lessons on sexual consent and the law delivered by police officers
- the same new lessons delivered by teachers
- existing 'business as usual' content
Results were encouraging. Whilst all pupils showed evidence of having learnt something about consent, pupils who received lessons delivered by the police demonstrated a more nuanced understanding of consent and the law, and were more likely to say they’d report incidents where consent may not have been given.
Video first response to domestic abuse
The third study evaluated the use of both rapid and scheduled video responses to domestic abuse incidents. This approach involves police conducting initial responses to eligible non-emergency domestic abuse cases via video calls, rather than traditional in-person visits.
The evaluation complements earlier work on rapid video response (RVR), which focuses on providing a rapid video-based response to non-emergency domestic abuse calls. While the implementation varied across pilot forces, the study provides valuable insights into the broader use of video response in this context.
Findings showed that video calls enabled significantly faster responses to victims compared to in-person visits. In one of the two pilot forces, video response also led to more consistently detailed risk assessment forms, suggesting potential improvements in the quality of risk assessments.
Most victims reported they would prefer the same type of response in future interactions with police, regardless of whether they had received a video or in-person response. This indicates that video response did not negatively impact victim experience.
However, arrest rates varied between video and in-person responses across the pilot forces, with no consistent pattern emerging. The evaluation also highlighted implementation challenges, including technological barriers and the need for comprehensive training.
Implementation support
In April 2025, the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs' Council established the National centre for violence against women and girls and public protection (NCVPP). The NCVPP works across law enforcement, the specialist sector and government to professionalise public protection and strive for a whole systems approach to prevent harm, give confidence to victims, survivors and witnesses to come forward and bring more offenders to justice.
Forces interested in implementing VAWG interventions are encouraged to contact the NCVPP for guidance and support tailored to their local needs and circumstances.
