300 people tell BBC of police misogyny and racism after undercover investigation – BBC

Report on Allegations of Police Misconduct and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

An undercover investigation by the BBC’s Panorama programme has brought to light extensive allegations of misconduct within UK police forces. Over 300 individuals have reported instances of racism, misogyny, corruption, and the bullying of victims. These findings present significant challenges to the United Kingdom’s progress towards several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). This report analyses the allegations and their direct impact on these global objectives.

2.0 Summary of Allegations and SDG Context

The investigation and subsequent public response have revealed a pattern of behaviour that undermines the core principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The primary themes of the allegations include:

• Systemic Misogyny: Pervasive dismissive and abusive attitudes towards female victims of domestic and sexual violence, directly contravening SDG 5.
• Racial Discrimination: Evidence of racism within police culture, which obstructs the aims of SDG 10 to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.
• Institutional Failure: A culture of corruption and bullying that erodes public trust and compromises the effectiveness and accountability of justice institutions, a central tenet of SDG 16.

3.0 Analysis of Impact on SDG 5: Gender Equality

The testimonies from victims of gender-based violence highlight a critical failure to protect women and girls and ensure their access to justice, a direct violation of SDG Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.

1. Dismissal of Victims: A woman reporting a physical assault by her partner was allegedly told by an officer to “grow a pair.” This response trivialises gender-based violence and discourages reporting, creating a climate of impunity for perpetrators.
2. Secondary Victimisation: A pregnant victim of repeated rape and domestic abuse reported that the police response was “like being raped all over again.” Officers allegedly expressed disbelief, stating “nobody gets raped more than once,” which constitutes a form of psychological violence by a state institution and erects significant barriers to justice for survivors.
3. Failure to Enforce Protective Orders: Another victim reported that police failed to act for over seven hours after her abusive ex-partner breached an injunction and locked her out of her home. The officers’ subsequent friendly interaction with the perpetrator demonstrates a systemic failure that leaves women and children vulnerable, undermining the goal of creating safe environments for all.

4.0 Implications for SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The allegations represent a profound crisis of confidence in a key public institution, directly impacting the achievement of SDG 16, which seeks to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• Erosion of Access to Justice (Target 16.3): When victims are met with disbelief, mockery, and inaction, their fundamental right to access justice is denied. The reported conduct indicates that the institution responsible for upholding the rule of law is failing to provide equal access to justice for all, particularly for vulnerable groups.
• Lack of Accountable Institutions (Target 16.6): The culture of misogyny, racism, and revelling in force, as revealed by the secret filming, points to a lack of accountability and transparency. Such behaviour undermines the legitimacy of the police and public trust, which are essential for a functioning, peaceful society.
• Corruption and Abuse of Power (Target 16.5): The broader allegations of corruption and bullying are indicative of an institution struggling to adhere to principles of good governance and the rule of law.

5.0 Intersectionality and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The report from one victim highlights the intersection of gender and racial discrimination, a critical concern for SDG 10, which aims to empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race or gender (Target 10.2).

• Compounded Discrimination: A black woman who survived domestic abuse and rape stated her belief that “the colour of my skin meant everything was stacked against me.” She described the officers’ language as “both misogynist and racist,” suggesting that intersecting forms of discrimination create compounded barriers to receiving fair and just treatment from law enforcement. This experience underscores the need for institutions to address systemic biases to ensure no one is left behind.

6.0 Institutional Responses and Path Forward

In response to the findings, policing bodies and government officials have acknowledged the need for reform. These measures are critical for realigning police conduct with the principles of the SDGs.

• Official Commitments: The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has stated it is working to build a culture of integrity and is improving vetting and misconduct procedures. The Policing Minister affirmed that officers unfit to serve will be rooted out.
• Training and Strategy: Initiatives such as the “Domestic Abuse Matters” training programme and the NPCC’s strategy to challenge sexism and misogyny are in place. The effectiveness of these programmes in achieving deep-seated cultural change is paramount.
• Conclusion: The evidence suggests that despite existing initiatives, significant gaps remain in ensuring that police forces are accountable, just, and equitable. Achieving SDGs 5, 10, and 16 requires a sustained and transparent effort to dismantle the systemic cultural failures identified in the investigation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several critical issues such as police misconduct, violence against women, racism, and the failure of public institutions to provide justice. These issues are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article’s central theme is misogyny within the police force and its impact on female victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. It details how women are disbelieved, mocked, and failed by the very institution meant to protect them, which is a direct barrier to achieving gender equality.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article explicitly mentions allegations of racism. The testimony of a black woman, Ava, who felt “the colour of my skin meant everything was stacked against me,” directly points to racial discrimination and inequality in access to justice, a core concern of SDG 10.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – This goal is fundamental to the article, which serves as a critique of a key public institution—the police. It exposes a lack of accountability, transparency, and effectiveness, and details how citizens are denied equal access to justice, undermining the rule of law.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the specific problems discussed, the following SDG targets are directly relevant:

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
   • The article is replete with accounts of violence against women, including a woman being “punched in the face by her partner,” and another who was “repeatedly raped and hit.” The police’s dismissive and misogynistic response to these reports demonstrates a systemic failure to address and eliminate such violence.
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… practices.
   • The article points to discriminatory practices within the police. Ava’s account of being treated with dismissiveness and mockery that was “both misogynist and racist” shows how intersecting inequalities (gender and race) prevent equal access to justice and protection.
3. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The experiences of the women in the article show a clear denial of access to justice. Police officers are described as disbelieving victims (“nobody gets raped more than once”), ignoring evidence, and failing to enforce court orders, thereby undermining the rule of law for these individuals.
4. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The need for a secret undercover investigation by the BBC highlights a lack of transparency and accountability within the police force. The article describes the police as an ineffective institution for victims of gender-based violence, referring to it as a “boys’ club” that fails to protect them.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure the problems and any progress towards the targets:

• Number of public complaints and allegations: The article states that “More than 300 people have contacted the BBC with allegations of racism, corruption and bullying of victims by police.” This figure serves as a direct indicator of public distrust and the perceived failure of official channels for justice (relevant to Targets 16.3 and 16.6).
• Victim testimonies and perception of justice: The qualitative accounts of women feeling like reporting a rape “was like being raped again” or feeling “even more afraid and more isolated after speaking to the police” are powerful indicators of institutional failure and the denial of access to justice (relevant to Targets 5.2 and 16.3).
• Prevalence of discriminatory attitudes: The racist and misogynistic comments from police officers, such as telling a victim to “grow a pair” or being dismissive of a rape allegation, are indicators of a discriminatory culture that prevents equal treatment (relevant to Target 10.3).
• Institutional reform measures: The article mentions several actions that can be seen as indicators of progress towards building more accountable institutions (Target 16.6). These include:
  • The implementation of training programs like “Domestic Abuse Matters” in 37 out of 44 police forces.
  • The NPCC’s strategy to “challenge sexism and misogyny among officers.”
  • The introduction of “new powers to dismiss officers who commit gross misconduct.”
  • The number of officers facing “fast-track hearings after Panorama investigation.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.co.uk