Violence Reduction Units

Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) were set up with funding from the Home Office, following the introduction of the Serious Violence Duty in 2018.

This duty has proved controversial for its stark omission of domestic abuse and sexual violence within its definition of serious violence, with little to no changes being seen in the latest Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. This briefing demonstrates how some VRUs are already using broader categorisations of serious violence than is included in the Government’s definition.

SafeLives' full briefing on VRUs can be found here. 

As shown, they are increasingly focusing on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the impact of trauma in childhood, such as witnessing or experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. 

SafeLives are calling on the Government to follow the example set by VRUs across the country, and broaden the statutory definition of serious violence to include domestic abuse and sexual violence. Considering that one third of all violence recorded by the police is domestic abuse related, the new Police Bill offers a real opportunity for Government to put domestic abuse at the top of their agenda to reduce the rate of serious violence.