Overview of the College of Policing VAWG evidence building projects: key challenges and lessons learned

• In Event: The challenges and opportunities of using experimental approaches to inform VAWG policy in the UK

Abstract

The evidence bases on the effectiveness of specific interventions aimed at tackling violence against women and girls is limited. Supported by funding from the UK Cabinet Office Evaluation Accelerator Fund, the College of Policing set up a programme of work in 2022 aimed at building the evidence base in this area, with policy links into a joint National Police Chiefs’ Council/College of Policing VAWG taskforce.

The College of Policing, together with our partners and stakeholders, have launched three experimental and quasi-experimental research evaluations outlined in this Panel. This paper brings together key challenges in implementing these evaluations and shares lessons learned to support future research. It looks ahead to how the findings will be disseminated to support future decision-making in this policy area, to make best use of the resources invested into the evaluations.

Authors

• Nicole Westmarland, Durham University Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse

• Cerys Gibson, College of Policing

• Rosie Erol, College of Policing

• Georgia Steventon, College of Policing

• Ella White, College of Policing