Behind thousands of offences recorded across County Durham are women whose lives have been changed by stalking, harassment, sexual violence and abuse.
Specialist services are supporting more than 1,000 survivors every year. Referrals are increasing. And research suggests the North East has the highest rate of domestic violence and abuse in England.
Now, after a series of incidents which have caused concern in Darlington, the town's MP says more needs to be done.
Lola McEvoy is seeking to bring together local organisations in an urgent taskforce aimed at tackling violence against women and girls, after saying violence against women is now a national 'epidemic'
Urgent taskforce to prevent violence against women and girls
Darlington’s MP Lola McEvoy (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
The move is in part inspired by the death of Leanne Park, 44, who was found dead in a flat above The Greyhound pub on Parkgate in Darlington on September 23.
Andrew Bell, 44, has been charged with her murder and is due to enter a plea on October 26, with a provisional trial date set for March 8, 2027.
Ms McEvoy said: "It's a national emergency, but in our town we need more support.
"What has happened to Ms Parks has shocked us all. It's so deeply upsetting and I will do everything I can to make sure women in our town are protected.
"That's why I'm convening a meeting of local service leaders to find out what is and isn't working. I hear from survivors of domestic abuse regularly through my surgeries and their experiences are truly awful.
"Prevention, policing and justice reforms must go hand in hand. I'm determined to make sure Darlington services are performing best practice on this vital issue."
In a Facebook statement, Ms McEvoy said: “Our safety is non-negotiable.
“The awful news about Leanne Park is deeply upsetting. My heart goes out to those who knew her, worked with her, were cared for by her and those who loved her.”
“Sickening” surge in local sexual offence arrests
She added: "Violence against women and girls is an epidemic, and it is right that the Health Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced that it will be treated as a public health crisis, with additional funding being provided to support victims and survivors in our area.
"In the last week alone, there have been two other announcements from the police relating to the arrests of men in our town on suspicion of sexual offences.
"It's sickening.
"It is clear that we urgently need more help to tackle this.
"Last week, Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, launched a National Taskforce to tackle misogyny. I have written to her to raise these cases and ask for her support on what more can be done at a local level.
"I've also written to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, to ask for an urgent meeting to address the outdated funding model that has left Durham and Cleveland police forces facing an uphill struggle.
"I will be convening a multi-stakeholder meeting of local organisations working on violence against women and girls prevention in Darlington as soon as possible.
"Once again, my deepest sympathies go out to Leanne's loved ones."
PCC for County Durham and Darlington Joy Allen (Image: Supplied)
PCC backs call for funding summit
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen backed the call for an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary.
She said: "Women and girls in Darlington deserve to feel safe in their homes, on our streets and when enjoying a night out.
"I recognise the fear and distress these recent reports have caused, and my thoughts are with Leanne’s loved ones and everyone affected by violence and abuse.
“I support Lola McEvoy’s call for an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary and would welcome the opportunity to join her in making the case for fair, sustainable funding for Durham Constabulary.
"Our communities deserve a funding model that reflects the demands on policing and the resources needed to keep people safe.
“Funding must support the whole response: preventing abuse, investigating offences, bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring victims receive specialist support. We also need to challenge the misogyny and harmful behaviours that allow violence against women and girls to take root.
“As Police and Crime Commissioner, delivering a first-class service to victims is a central commitment of my Police, Crime and Justice Plan. That means listening to survivors, scrutinising the police response and working with partners to improve support.
“I am keen to see the proposed local meeting take place. It needs to produce clear actions, named responsibilities and a way of measuring progress. Women and girls need to see that our collective commitment translates into greater safety and support.
“Anyone reporting abuse must be treated with compassion and respect. I want victims to have the confidence to come forward knowing that their concerns will be taken seriously.”
County Durham and North East offence figures expose scale of 'crisis'
Office for National Statistics figures show the scale of stalking, harassment and sexual offences recorded this year to March 2026.
There were 623,574 stalking and harassment offences across England and Wales, including 583,871 in England.
England and Wales recorded 217,567 sexual offences, including 203,724 in England.
The North East recorded 31,756 stalking and harassment offences and 11,422 sexual offences.
In the regions, Durham recorded 7,582 stalking and harassment offences and 2,536 sexual offences.
In Cleveland the figures were 8,410 stalking and harassment offences and 3,025 sexual offences, Northumbria's figures were 15,764 and 5,861 respectively and in North Yorkshire the srtatistics were 4,449 and 2,244.
The latest figures show sexual offences recorded in County Durham have risen by 4.8 per cent year on year, from 2,420 to 2,536, while stalking and harassment offences increased by 0.3 per cent, from 7,557 to 7,582.
Across the North East, the other forces have also seen increases in these cases in the last few months. In England as a whole, sexual offences increased by eight per cent and stalking and harassment offences by 7.2 per cent.
According to research by Health Equity North, in 2024 the North East of England has the highest rate of domestic violence and abuse in the country at 19 per 1,000 population, compared to an average of 11 per 1,000 for the rest of England.
In the 2025/26 reporting year, Cleveland Police reported the highest rate of sexual crimes in England and Wales, with 5.04 offences per 1,000 population, according to Statista.
Durham was eighth in the country at 3.9 offences per 1,000.
Charity supports more than 1,000 women a year as referrals increase year on year
Isabel Owens RSACC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Image: RSACC)
A Darlington and County Durham support charity has warned of the growing demand for its services as it called for urgent action to tackle violence against women and girls.
Isabel Owens, CEO of the region's Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre (RSACC), said: “Year on year RSACC has received an increased number of referrals from survivors of rape and abuse in Darlington and County Durham seeking support. The scale and impact of violence and abuse against women and girls in our community is pervasive.
“In particular the recent incidents of violence against women in Darlington have deeply shaken all of us. They are a reminder of how prolific rape and other forms of abuse are and that behind every offence is a real person whose life has been upended.
“Sexual violence leaves profound, often lifelong impacts, and far too many survivors carry an overwhelming weight of unwarranted shame and guilt that makes taking that first step to report or ask for help immensely difficult.
“RSACC supports more than 1,000 survivors across Darlington and County Durham every year.
"As a charity we fully support calls demanding urgent action and prioritising violence against women and girls. However, as we rightly focus on prevention and tackling root causes, we must also ensure that specialist support services are fully resourced so that every survivor in our area receives the specialist support they need and deserve.”
Police say violence against women 'remains a priority' as 'everyone has the right to feel safe'
Durham Police HQ (Image: STUART BOULTON/NORTHERN ECHO)
Durham Constabulary said tackling violence against women and girls remained a priority.
A spokeswoman said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe wherever they are, and nobody should be subjected to violence, harassment, intimidation, or abuse.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is a long-standing priority for Durham Constabulary, and our officers and staff work tirelessly to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.
“As a force, we target resources towards clear routes to safety for victims, supporting and empowering survivors and investing in evidence-based interventions that tackle root causes, addressing the harmful attitudes and behaviours that result in violence and abuse.
“Durham Constabulary was also one of four pathfinder forces to take part in Operation Soteria – a transformative new approach which improves support for survivors and puts offenders and their behaviour under deeper scrutiny. Its findings have since been used to develop a new National Operating Model for all 43 police forces in England and Wales.
“However, violence against women and girls cannot be addressed through law enforcement alone. One in 20 people are estimated to be perpetrators of VAWG related offences each year.
“Evidence shows many of these perpetrators will have touch points with a number of agencies outside of policing throughout their life, presenting opportunities for intervention.
“This includes health, education, local authority, voluntary sector and industry all working in tandem with the criminal justice system, sharing data and responsibilities to effect change across the board.”
Focus is 'no victim falls through the cracks'
Darlington Council helps lead a combined multi-agency Safety Partnership in response to domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Councillor Jim Garner, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “Darlington Community Safety Partnership has recently launched its updated Community Safety Plan for 2026-2029, setting out the priorities for the next three years, with tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence a key area of focus.
The Community Safety Partnership has a vital role in ensuring Darlington has a joined-up, whole-system response to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Our focus is on making sure no victim falls through the cracks, that survivor’s voices help shape the services they receive, and that partners work collectively to prevent abuse and hold perpetrators to account.”
READ MORE:
- Man due in court accused of sexually assaulting woman in Darlington
- 'Monster' Darlington rapist who led girl to isolated spot branded 'risk to children'
- DOHow reporting crime helps police protect communities in Durham - PCC Joy Allen
Where victims can get help
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- RSACC provides specialist support to survivors of rape and sexual abuse across Darlington and County Durham. Survivors can access support through the charity’s website:* * RSACC Talk to Us 0300 222 5730*
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- The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre offer confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people aged 16 years an over in County Durham that have experienced sexual assault and rape in their lifetime.* * The Meadows Sexual Assault Referral Centre**, 0330 223 0099*
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- Harbour works with families and individuals who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner or other family member. 24 Hour Helpline: 0300 020 2525*
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- Call the UK police non-emergency number,* * 101**, if you need support or advice from the police and it's not an emergency.*
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- If you are in immediate danger, call 999.*
Men can be victims too.