Refuge Responds to Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s concerns about delays to the VAWG strategy

Responding to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s concerns about delays to the VAWG strategy, Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said: 

“Refuge welcomed the Government’s ambitious pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within the decade. But more than a year since Labour took office, we are still waiting for an action plan to make that pledge a reality. Women and girls deserve more than promises – they need real change. 

“The Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s warning could not be clearer. Delays to the VAWG strategy, compounded by the chronic underfunding of vital frontline services, are undermining the Government’s own goal. At a time when Refuge’s services have never been more needed, we strongly echo Dame Nicole Jacobs’ warning: progress on tackling VAWG is losing momentum, and survivors cannot wait any longer. 

“Around 1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and every 5 days, a woman is killed by a current or former partner. With every day the VAWG strategy is delayed, more lives are put at risk. 

“As Dame Nicole highlighted, the impact of domestic abuse on children cannot be underestimated. Nearly half of the residents in our refuges are children, yet there remains a profound funding gap for children’s services, which must be addressed in the VAWG strategy. 

“The Government must act with urgency if it is to meet its pledge to halve VAWG within the next decade. At the heart of this plan must be funding for specialist organisations, to ensure that all survivors can access lifesaving support.”