Violence against women and girls

Child sexual exploitation is when a child or person under 18 is tricked into performing sexual acts in return for something, such as food, accommodation, drugs, gifts or money.

It can involve violence, coercion and intimidation, with threats of physical harm or humiliation.

For more information, including how to report child abuse, visit the report child sexual exploitation page.

Coercive control is an intentional pattern of behaviour that occurs on two or more occasions, or which takes place over time, for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another.

Behaviour traits to watch out for include:

• isolating the victim – by not allowing them to visit friends and family or restricting access to a phone or computer
• jealous or possessive behaviour – for example, frequent phone calls to check where they are and what they are doing, or checking activity on their phone or social networking accounts
• blaming the victim for everything – they play the victim and deny any wrongdoing, often lying to take no responsibility for the situation they find themselves in
• dictating what the victim does – for example, with hair, clothes or movements
• manipulating the police – for example, scene-setting or getting into character before the police arrive to reinforce the victim’s fear that they may not be believed

Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse. For more information on domestic abuse and how to report it, visit the report domestic abuse page.

Harassment and stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention that makes someone feel distressed, anxious or scared.

For more information about harassment or stalking, including how to report it, visit the report harassment or stalking page.

Honour-based abuse are crimes or incidents, such as forced marriage or female genital mutilation, committed to protect or defend a family or community’s perceived ‘honour’.

Forced marriage

Forced marriage is when someone faces physical, emotional and psychological pressure to marry someone without their consent or against their will.

Threats, physical or sexual abuse, emotional and psychological pressure – such as when someone is made to feel like they brought shame on their family – is often applied.

If you are under 18, any marriage is considered a forced marriage, even if there is no physical or emotional pressure involved.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

FGM refers to procedures which intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is illegal in the UK.

For more information on FGM, including how to report it, visit the report female genital mutilation page.

Nobody should be pressured or forced to have sex, or engage in sexual activities, without giving their consent. Consent means everyone agreeing to what is happening by choice.

For more information on rape and serious sexual offences, including how to report them, see our report rape, sexual assault or a sexual offence page.

Incels are a sub-culture community of men who describe themselves as “involuntarily celibate”, often fuelled by rejection or negative encounters with women.

This ideology is posted online in forums and on social media platforms, where the overall themes of failure and frustration – along with anger and hate – are common.

Incel males go to message boards out of loneliness only to find a group of angry men who believe that sex, love and happiness are out of their reach, available only to others.

On social media, they can find harmful role models like ‘manosphere influencers’ who may discuss the incel movement and pedal extreme views of misogyny and violence.

Signs where support may be needed

Education about consent and respect for women does not just apply to men, it involves teaching young boys as well.

According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, an estimated 52% of child sexual abuse and exploitation is committed by children and young adults.

Key principles

• It is not solely about sex – the concept of consent applies to all relationships and interactions, including friendships and online interactions, to show respect and boundaries are universal.
• Foster emotional literacy – help men and boys identify and articulate their own emotions, and understand and respect the emotions of others. This includes teaching them how to handle rejection gracefully.
• Men can lead by example – by demonstrating equal partnership in chores and household responsibilities. Many children learn more from what they see, rather than what they are told.
• Challenge sexism – call out sexist jokes, comments, and behaviours, no matter how small, to show that they are not acceptable.
• Create an environment where men can ask questions and discuss consent openly without shame. This is crucial to counter misinformation they may get online.

Upstanders are people who actively intervene when they see injustice, bullying, or discrimination, rather than passively watching it take place.

For more information – including intervention training for people working in night-time businesses – visit our Be an upstander, not a bystander page.

Walk and Talk invites women to meet with female police officers and PCSOs to show them areas in which they feel vulnerable or unsafe in their local communities.