Natalie Queiroz, a leading victims advocate in the West Midlands, has voiced serious concerns about women’s safety and their willingness to report violent crimes against them. Despite official reports showing a 16.2% decrease in recorded violence against women and girls (VAWG) crimes—down to 51,943 incidents in the year ending March 31, 2026—Queiroz urges caution, warning that this statistic might conceal under-reporting rather than actual reduction.
Data presented to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Accountability and Governance Board reveals some troubling trends. While overall VAWG crimes appear lower, rape and sexual violence figures have increased, partly attributed to new offences added under the Online Safety Act 2024. These include online sexual abuse, image-based sexual abuse, sextortion, digital stalking, and non-consensual sharing or manipulation of intimate images.
Queiroz challenged police leadership to stay “ahead of the curve” in investigating these evolving crimes and to protect victims effectively. “The complexity of VAWG offences—from domestic abuse and sexual violence to honour-based abuse and tech-enabled exploitation—must be fully understood to assess whether the crime drop is genuine,” she said.
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Further fueling concerns, a recent court decision allowed three teenage boys convicted of raping two girls to avoid custodial sentences. Queiroz condemned this “appalling” outcome, highlighting its damaging message to survivors and its potential to diminish confidence in the justice system. “Securing a conviction for rape is already extremely difficult and traumatic for victims. To see perpetrators walk free undermines trust and discourages reporting,” she added.
The decrease in reported crimes, Queiroz warns, may not signal progress but rather a growing reluctance among victims to come forward. She emphasized that improvements in reporting numbers often reflect increased confidence in the criminal justice process—and conversely, declines may represent diminished trust.
Queiroz urged the police to prioritize justice delivery and victim protection as vital steps in restoring faith in the system. She also reminded victims that support services and rights are available through the Victims Code.