Violence against women and girls toolkit

Summary

This toolkit supports police officers and staff to protect women and girls from misogyny and bring criminals to justice. It contains:

a list of misogynistic behaviours and the offences under which they could be prosecuted
other tactics and protective tools that can be used to prevent further reoffending, such as civil orders

This practical tool was developed as part of the national framework for policing violence against women and girls.

The offences and preventative strategies that cover street harassment, including:

catcalling and wolf whistling
exposure
following, persistent following, cornering, isolating
kerb crawling
leering or persistent staring
physical assault that has a sexual or gender-based element
sexual assault
sexual gestures
sexual propositioning, sexually explicit comments, intrusive persistent questioning
sexual touching
upskirting
viewing pornography in public
voyeurism

The offences and preventative strategies that cover domestic and relationship abuse, including:

cyberstalking
disclosing or threatening to disclose a private sexual photograph or film
domestic abuse and controlling or coercive behaviour
non-fatal strangulation or attempts to choke or suffocate through drowning or pillow over head
romance fraud
stalking and harassment
virtual indecent exposure

The offences and preventative strategies that cover honour-based abuse, including:

The offences and preventative strategies that cover sexual exploitation and abuse, including:

Details of protective measures and civil orders referenced in this toolkit