This week's revelations from Baroness Casey's report into the Metropolitan Police may be disturbing, but they're not surprising.
There have been multiple reports and reviews into the Met Police over decades, going all the way back to the Macpherson Report almost 25 years ago, highlighting the institutional failings of a public service that is meant to protect us.
We are asked to believe that the police are changing, but for that to be credible, we need a real plan, with targets, that centres the experience of women, marginalised communities and survivors. The Met must urgently turn their attention to rooting out a culture of misogyny and racism that threatens London's diverse communities and allows violent perpetrators to thrive.
That's why Fawcett, along with our partners at the Runnymede Trust, Muslim Women's Network, and Agenda Alliance, have written to Commissioner Mark Rowley of the Met Police to request a meeting—to discuss his plan, ensure it centres women and minoritised communities, and hold him to account on it. You may have seen our Chief Executive, Jemima Olchawski, talking about it on BBC Politics London.
We know that this issue goes wider than the Met and that a fundamental shift is required in policing cultures across the country. But what does this look like? In May, we will host an event about women's experiences of policing that poses the question: knowing what we do, where do we go next? We hope we'll see you there.
This work is not possible without the support of Fawcett members. Become a Fawcett member today and join our movement for equality across our public services. We can't do this without you.
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Friday 12 May, 12.00pm to 1.00pm, via Zoom. Free, but registrations essential.
In the wake of the release of the damning Casey Report into the Met Police, we want to create a safe space for women to feel seen and heard.
This online event will bring together experts, campaigners and women across the UK to reflect and think about what comes next for policing.
Register now to be the first to hear more about this event and our ongoing work in this space.
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Fawcett has issued a response to the Casey Review, acknowledging its unflinching findings about the Met Police and demanding reform now. Read it in full on the Fawcett website.
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What our partners are saying
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We stand in solidarity with a number of organisations working in this space.
🚨 The Runnymede Trust, Liberty, Inquest and Stonewall have released this statement, emphasising that minoritised people have borne the brunt of the misuse of police powers over generations.
🚨 End Violence Against Women and Girls says police powers are increasing, despite it being an institution in crisis
🚨 Black Equity Organisation states that reform of the Met is a matter of life and death for Black Londoners.
🚨 Rape Crisis England and Wales has said violence against women and girls needs to be taken as seriously by the Met as it does other forms of crime.
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Along with our partners at the Runnymede Trust, Muslim Women's Network UK and Agenda Alliance, we have written to Commissioner Mark Rowley of the Met Police to request a meeting to ensure women and communities lie at the heart of any plan for reform. Read it in full on the Fawcett website.
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