Commenting on the ‘Freedom from violence and abuse’ cross-government strategy, Sarah Fulham, Director of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Services at Hestia, said:

“Hestia welcomes the ambition of the new ‘Freedom from violence and abuse’ cross-government strategy. This is an important step towards ensuring every woman and child can live a life free from violence and abuse. We are pleased to see the government taking a whole-system, cross-departmental approach, recognising that prevention and early intervention, safety, and recovery must go hand in hand.

We particularly welcome the strategy’s focus on early intervention, trauma-informed practice, and improving the justice response, reflecting what survivors tell us every day. The emphasis on education-based prevention, including mandatory work with children and young people around healthy relationships, consent and misogyny, and improved NHS referral pathways, is an important part of breaking the cycle of harm.

It is positive to see the focus on children in terms of prevention and education. However, the strategy and action plan lack detail on support for children who are victims of domestic abuse. Despite being recognised as ‘victims in their own right’ as part of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, specialist provision for children remains patchy and sustained investment in children’s workers, therapeutic support, community-based services and properly resourced support for schools will be vital to ensure children receive the protection they need.  

Support services have faced increasing demand, rising operational costs, and short-term commissioning for too long, placing significant pressure on refuges and community-based services. Refuges are closing and victims are being turned away every day. While we welcome the Government committing an extra £19 million to domestic abuse safe accommodation, chronic underfunding in this area means this will barely scratch the surface. Survivors need safe, stable accommodation and support, backed by sustainable, multi-year funding. This is not just about buildings but investing in services and the specialist staff who help survivors rebuild their lives.

We have long highlighted the vital role workplaces and communities play in supporting victim-survivors. For many survivors, work or community spaces are the first safe place to ask for help. Employers have the potential to reach a large number of victim-survivors with much needed support. While the strategy does address the role of employers, we would like to see statutory duties for employers and training for employees alongside funding of community initiatives such as Safe Spaces. As Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Minister Jess Phillips noted ‘violence against women and girls is everyone’s business’.

This strategy has real ambition, but its impact will depend on how it is implemented on the ground, long-term commitment, and investment. Hestia is eager to work with the government to turn these commitments into real, lasting change.” 

We will continue to reflect on the strategy in the coming months and look forward to working with the government and cross-sector partners to make the UK a safe place for victim-survivors. 

Read the full VAWG strategy