Government's new VAWG strategy is an important moment - women need both early intervention and crisis support to be available
Today, on International Women’s Day (8 March), national domestic abuse charity SafeLives welcomes the publication of the Government’s refreshed strategy to tackle violence against women and girls.
The Government’s new strategy contains three key elements that could make a real difference to the lives of women and girls living with abuse:
- early intervention
- local commissioners appointing specialist domestic abuse services in a coherent, effective and sustainable way
- addressing the behaviour of perpetrators.
It is really encouraging to see the Government recognise the importance of these factors.
Last month SafeLives, together with the charities Respect and Social Finance, launched the Drive Project – a new approach to hold perpetrators of domestic abuse to account in order to keep victims and children safe. The project is highlighted in the strategy as an example of ‘innovative’ practice which the Government will seek to ‘support, promote and help to evaluate’.
The strategy also makes reference to SafeLives’ One Front Door model, soon to be piloted through the Sooner the Better early intervention project. The model seeks to create a single point of referral for all safeguarding concerns – meaning families living with issues such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental ill-health and neglect can be helped more quickly and more effectively.
Diana Barran, Chief Executive of SafeLives, says:
“The Government’s new strategy makes for encouraging reading – particularly its calls for more to be done to target perpetrators of domestic abuse. For too long, we’ve been focusing on the wrong questions, and telling her to leave instead of asking him to stop.
“We also welcome its challenge to local areas to look at the way services are commissioned, as too often the provision is fragmented and piecemeal – meaning money is wasted and victims are missed. Local authorities, health commissioners and police and crime commissioners can do much better with existing funding if they work together in a more co-ordinated way.
“Early intervention and prevention, too, is critical and we’re pleased to see the Government taking such a clear stance on this. We hope that local commissioners will understand that this approach needs to complement – not replace – current provision, especially those supporting victims of high-risk domestic abuse. SafeLives’ research has shown that we have just half the number of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (Idvas) as are needed to ensure those victims in the greatest danger get effective support. Provision is patchy at best, and the subsequent impact on professionals’ caseloads – and, ultimately, the quality of support offered to victims – is of real concern.”
Building important innovation on firm foundations
At SafeLives we believe passionately in innovation. We also believe that innovation should be built on firm foundations. It is vital that this innovative shift complements rather than replaces current provision, especially those supporting victims of high-risk domestic abuse. SafeLives’ research has shown that we have just half the number of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (Idvas) needed to ensure those victims in the greatest danger get effective support. Provision is patchy at best, and the subsequent impact on professionals’ caseloads – and, ultimately, the quality of support offered to victims – is of real concern.
Everybody’s business – earlier intervention
Domestic abuse is so much more than a criminal justice issue – for instance, we know that victims are 5 times more likely to be in regular contact with health professionals than the police. Our evidence also shows that victims of domestic abuse are frequent users of physical and mental health services, typically accessing them 13 times before receiving support from a domestic abuse service. These two facts alone make increased leadership from the Department of Health vitally important and we call on Ministers there to share their plans to implement the strategy, alongside the Home Secretary and Communities Secretary.
Domestic abuse victims need a single point of referral for all safeguarding concerns including domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental ill-health and neglect – allowing us to identify vulnerable women and girls as early as possible and recognising that domestic abuse cannot be understood as an isolated problem. It needs to be approached holistically, something that impacts the whole family and a range of vulnerabilities.
The role of local commissioners
The Government is right to say that local provision for victims of abuse is too fragmented. The importance of good commissioning cannot be overstated. Local authorities, health commissioners and Police and Crime commissioners could do much more with existing funding if they worked together in a more co-ordinated way.
Asking ‘why doesn’t he stop?’ not ‘Why doesn’t she leave?’
Last month, we launched Drive. This pilot project is in partnership with Respect and Social Finance, Police and Crime Commissioners in three areas and supported by the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. It is an intervention to challenge the most dangerous perpetrators of domestic abuse.
We know from talking to women that they want their partners or ex-partners to receive specialist intervention to stop the abuse. We must respect and respond to this. While refuges around the country are turning victims away due to lack of space, less than 1% of perpetrators get any specialist intervention to address their behaviour. They need to be held accountable and this strategy signals the Government’s intention to improve the situation.
Abuse is complicated – provide help when women need it
The Government’s new strategy is an important moment, marking their continued commitment to tackling violence against women and girls for the next four years. We hope those responsible for implementing it will keep in mind that abuse is complicated not linear. Innovation is vital, and so are the gains made over the past ten years. If we want to keep more families safe we should push ahead while not forgetting the vital gains which have got us this far.
ENDS
Head of Communications and Marketing
SafeLives
07818 593 562
0207 922 7891 (direct line)