Under previous Conservative governments, between 2018 and 2023, violent crimes against women and girls rose by 37%. Last year alone, over 1 million such crimes were recorded in England and Wales—making up 20% of all crimes reported. And we know that not all crimes are reported.

These numbers are more than statistics. They represent women and girls’ lives lost, futures stolen, and lives forever changed by violence.

For too long, violence against women and girls has been ignored. Put on the “too hard to deal with” pile. That’s why the Prime Minister and the new Labour government have committed to halving violence against women and girls within a decade.

This will be no small task, but we are determined to do it. It will require a national effort from everyone from across our four nations.

This starts with addressing the root causes of violence. We will ensure schools address misogyny and teach children and young people about healthy relationships and consent.

Tougher enforcement and greater victim protection are key to achieving this goal. We will set up specialist rape and sexual offences teams in every police force and ensure that prolific and harmful perpetrators are relentlessly pursued, using the same strategies deployed against terrorists and organised criminals.

Rape cases will be fast-tracked with specialist courts at every Crown Court location in England and Wales, ensuring that victims are not re-trauma after waiting years for justice as they are now.

But enforcement alone is not enough. Victims and survivors deserve our unwavering support. In 999 control rooms, domestic abuse experts will ensure victims and survivors can speak directly to a specialist who will support them at every stage.

In every police force area, a legal advocate will provide guidance and support from the time a crime is reported, through to the point of trial.

Let’s be clear: those boys and men who commit violence against women are not born with a pre-determined propensity to commit those crimes against women and girls. They see it, hear it, are encouraged and emboldened to do it from others’ behaviour and from online content.

This White Ribbon Day, I’m calling on fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons to join mothers, sisters, aunts, and daughters in ending this horrific cycle of violence.

This is not just an issue for government, or for the criminal justice system and especially not just for women to solve. It’s a collective national responsibility.

By standing and working together, with everyone playing their part, we can bring about the change that is so desperately needed, finally tackling the epidemic of violence against women and girls.