Trigger warning: this article contains sensitive information about sexual assault. Please proceed with care.
Violence against women in the UK is at a crisis point. In 2023, police recorded 68,387 rapes in England and Wales, but charges were brought in only 2.6% of these cases. This means fewer than 3 in every 100 rape cases led to charges, highlighting extreme flaws within the criminal justice system.
In a recent article in The Guardian, MET Chief Sir Mark Rowley shared his NPCC analysis and described his findings as eye-watering, with an alarming set of statistics within the report, including that ‘800,000 women a year are sexually assaulted’. This shows the widespread and ongoing threat women face across the country. Not only this, but figures inside the police force itself have been some of the country’s worst offenders in recent years, who abused their power within society and used it to target women.
‘As of late 2023, there were over 10,000 sexual offence cases and nearly 2,800 adult rape cases awaiting court proceedings.’
With these devastating figures and stories coming to light, it is important to recognise the voices that have been silenced due to fear of reporting the crime, fear of their perpetrator or a lack of belief that their story will be believed by the criminal justice system. The survivors in AN ARMY OF WOMEN exemplify the resilience and determination needed to fight for justice and the fight for women’s right to be heard. Mirroring the struggle faced by many women in the UK, Amy, Marina, and Hanna are seeking justice in a system that had failed them, holding police and prosecutors accountable for their inaction when their rape cases are dismissed. Their stories, alongside 12 other women, offer a hopeful look into a movement that aims to change the future for women everywhere. Watch the trailer below now.
In light of the staggering statistics reported, it is evident that action is needed at both the local and national levels. With a general election looming, voters must prioritise candidates who have concrete plans to address violence against women and hold law enforcement and the judiciary accountable. We applaud the recent (and longstanding) support of MP Jess Phillips for raising her voice on these issues.
AN ARMY OF WOMEN follows a group of women in Austin, Texas join forces and help build a movement of plaintiffs legally challenging the system that allowed their rapists to walk free. AN ARMY OF WOMEN is the landmark story of women fighting to hold law enforcement accountable, with resounding relevance worldwide. When Amy, Marina and Hanna’s rape cases are dismissed by the Austin police, all three women try to find a way to rebuild their lives. They join forces with twelve other women in a ground-breaking federal class-action lawsuit, the first to argue that sexual assault isn’t prosecuted because it’s a crime that predominantly affects women. The group is determined to hold police and prosecutors accountable for their inaction, but their resilience is tested as they face setbacks from the system they hope to change.
AN ARMY OF WOMEN is having its international premiere at Sheffield DocFest on Friday 14th June and Saturday 15th June.
Book tickets now to watch this crucial documentary in Sheffield.
Host a screening in your own community to raise awareness of the issues explored in this blog and within the film.
