Watch: ITV Tyne Tees covers the Halo Project super-complaint
ITV Tyne Tees, 25 March 2024
In 2020, the Tees Valley Inclusion Project, through the Halo Project, submitted what became a landmark police super-complaint. It was not a decision taken lightly. It was taken because the evidence in front of us was undeniable: women from Black and minoritised communities were not receiving the same standard of care, protection or investigation as others when they reported sexual abuse and honour-based abuse to the police.
Four years on, I remain committed to ensuring that the findings of that complaint translate into lasting, structural change.
In March 2024, ITV Tyne Tees covered the progress of that super-complaint and what has happened since the national review was published. I was grateful for the opportunity to speak directly about where things stand and where further work is still needed. You can watch the full report at the link above.
What the Super-Complaint Found
The report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary found that victims of sexual abuse who are at risk of honour-based abuse are not always properly safeguarded by police, and that the service they receive varies considerably between forces. It also found that some officers lack the cultural knowledge and awareness necessary to understand the forms of abuse that women from ethnic minority backgrounds may face. itv
These are not minor administrative failings. They are systemic failures with real consequences for real people.
What I Said
Speaking to ITV Tyne Tees, I was clear: policing has recognised that there has been a failure towards victims who have experienced trauma-based abuse, and that some investigations have not met the needs of those victims. Recognition, however, is only a starting point. itv
It is now for policing to prioritise this as part of operational planning, to ensure that honour-based abuse is considered, that the needs of victims are heard, and that trauma-informed investigations are delivered consistently. itv
Restoring trust takes time. But it requires action, not simply acknowledgement.
What Was Recommended
Following the super-complaint, recommendations were made to all police forces in December 2022. These included working with communities to better understand cultural differences, consistently recording ethnicity, and ensuring that Police and Crime Commissioners represent all community views when commissioning victim services. itv
The National Police Chiefs Council has acknowledged that inconsistency in the recording of ethnicity for both victims and perpetrators remains a significant barrier to identifying risk and ensuring appropriate safeguarding. That inconsistency must be resolved as a matter of urgency. itv
Why This Matters
The Halo Project was founded to ensure that no victim is left without support because of their background, their culture or the complexity of their circumstances. The super-complaint was an extension of that mission into the systemic level. We do not raise these issues to criticise policing for its own sake. We raise them because the alternative is silence, and silence costs lives.
I am encouraged that the conversation is continuing at a national level. I remain determined that it results in the equal, dignified and culturally competent service that every victim deserves.
Watch the full ITV Tyne Tees report here: https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2024-03-25/super-complaint-police-need-to-do-more-to-treat-people-as-equals
Founder and Chief Officer of the Halo Project. Former National Advisor on Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence to the Welsh Government, 2018–2026.
