The UK has witnessed a disturbing trend of women and girls being killed by men, with 100 such incidents reported in 2025, according to a BBC investigation.
Ministers have described the situation as a "national emergency," and the UK government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. The investigation found that in 90 cases, males were charged, resulting in 24 convictions for murder and six for manslaughter.
The cases include that of Isobella Knight, who was strangled by her husband Paul in their Northamptonshire home, and Nilani Nimalarajah, who was stabbed 18 times by her estranged husband in Merseyside. Both cases highlight the issue of domestic abuse and coercive control.
Police Response and Timeline
The police response to these incidents has been under scrutiny, with many cases involving a history of domestic abuse. The investigation found that in most cases, the victim and suspect knew each other, and the crime occurred in a home or residential setting.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) have reported an increase in prosecution rates for domestic abuse cases. However, charity CEOs, such as Gemma Sherrington from Refuge, argue that more needs to be done to support victims and prevent abuse.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation cross-checked research with UK police forces, the CPS, COPFS, and the Northern Ireland Courts Service. It found that males had been charged in 90 cases, with 24 resulting in convictions for murder and six for manslaughter.
In another 15 cases, males have been arrested on suspicion of murder or manslaughter, but no charges have been brought. The investigation also found that there were 10 more incidents of women or girls killed where a male suspect also died.
Government Response
The UK government has announced a range of measures to tackle violence against women and girls, including increased funding for accommodation to house women safely and a focus on preventing the radicalization of young men.
Minister Jess Phillips acknowledged that there is "room for improvement" and stated that she is working with the Department for Education to look at what therapeutic support children might need. The government's pledges have been welcomed by charity CEOs, but they argue that more needs to be done to address the scale of the problem.
