Women’s safety cannot be used to fuel racism

Following the protests in London and elsewhere last week, the climate of intimidation and division is frightening for many – particularly racialised and migrant survivors, frontline professionals and communities. We stand with you. Our mission is to end abuse for good; our commitment is to dignity, safety and belonging for everyone. 

We reject the racist weaponisation of violence against women and girls (VAWG) – using women’s safety as cover to target migrants and racially minoritised communities. That rhetoric harms survivors, spreads misinformation and pulls focus from the real work of ending abuse. Alongside more than 100 women’s rights groups, we have signed the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition’s statement warning against this weaponisation.  

The evidence is also clear: public violence often mirrors private violence. A recent analysis found two in five people arrested after last summer’s riots had previously been reported to police for domestic abuse. Misogyny, coercion and control do not happen in silos. Tackling abuse means challenging the behaviours and narratives that normalise it – on our streets, in our systems and in our public discourse.  

We stand with partners across the sector: blaming migrants or marginalised communities does not keep anyone safe. Our focus must stay on what works – preventing harm, reducing risk and supporting recovery – not on stoking division. 

There are reasons for hope. Across the UK, people are choosing solidarity over hate – people are fighting for a fairer, more inclusive future. One that leaves no one behind. That matters. Change happens when communities, services and leaders stand together for safety and respect. 

What we’re calling for

• Responsible leadership and reporting: political and media figures must stop amplifying myths that link migration with VAWG and instead promote evidence-based messaging.  

• Investment in what works: resource specialist, survivor-led and ‘by-and-for’ services; remove barriers like NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) so every survivor – adult and child – can access safety.  

• Whole-system responses: focus on perpetrator accountability, early prevention, and joined-up local action that keeps people safer, sooner.  

SafeLives will keep doing what we do best: listening deeply to survivors, working with services and systems to remove barriers and create routes to safety, and challenging perpetrators to change. Our commitment is that every adult and child survivor gets the right help for them, at the right time, whoever they are and wherever they live.