Violent crimes against women and girls surge as harmful online influence targets boys
A new assessment reports 1.36 million violent offences against women and girls in the 12 months to March, including 231,000 cases of teenage relationship abuse, and finds that almost a quarter of perpetrators are repeat offenders.
The inaugural national Strategic Threat Risk Assessment for England and Wales reveals 1.36 million violent crimes against women and girls recorded in the year ending March, of which 231,000 involved teenage relationship abuse. Serial offenders accounted for about 24% of suspects, and experts say AI and algorithmic amplification are increasingly used to coerce and abuse young women. Police chiefs point to harmful online influencers, such as Andrew Tate, as drivers of misogynistic attitudes among boys.
Educational institutions reported that 10% of offences by suspects aged 10 to 18 occurred on school or college premises, and domestic abuse continues to dominate the threat landscape. The assessment estimates that only one in five incidents is reported, suggesting the true scale is far larger. Officials stress that a whole-system response is needed to protect women, girls, and children.
Why it matters
The surge in gender-based violence and its link to online influence demand urgent policy and safety measures.
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