National domestic abuse charity Refuge has welcomed the launch of a landmark multi- million-pound misogyny prevention fund while warning this is “just one part of a much larger picture”.
In a step to tackle misogyny against women and girls, chancellor John Healey outlined plans in the latest Autumn Budget to provide £15 million to be invested in schemes over three years that could include mentoring for young people, workplace training and communications campaigns to improve outcomes and safety for women and girls across the UK.
Healey said: “Every woman and girl deserves to feel safe, respected and able to pursue their ambitions – at school, at work and in their communities.
“This investment will back practical action to tackle misogyny head-on, while bringing businesses and philanthropists on board so we can go even further – giving women and girls more opportunity to succeed and hope for the future.”
The funding will underpin Bridget Phillipson’s misogyny prevention taskforce, which brings together government members, local leaders and experts to root out “harmful and dangerous attitudes” towards women and girls.
Phillipson commented on the fund, saying: “Day to day misogyny – from sexist slurs and harassment to workplace discrimination – quite simply has no place in modern Britain.
“The time for talk has long passed, which is why this government is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to supporting women and girls. This funding is a critical step as we work to confine misogyny to the history books, where it belongs.”
The funding annoucement comes alongside the release of the latest domestic abuse figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which pointed to a sharp rise in violence being reported, with around 4.7 million people having reported experiecing it this year ending March.
While Bo Bottomley, public affairs manager at Refuge, welcomed the announcement, she went on to criticise Healey for failing to provide a “wider level of investment desperately needed now in domestic abuse specialist services”.
Referencing the latest ONS figures, she said: “Refuge is disappointed that the government has missed this vital opportunity to make the financial commitment needed to protect survivors and meet rising demand for specialist support services.
“The government is prioritising its mission to tackle rough sleeping, which is accompanied by a welcome financial commitment. Domestic abuse is a leading cause of homelessness, and we hope this will be reflected in the use of these funds.
“We urge the government to consider the role of specialist domestic abuse services in supporting women who are homeless and providing them with the safe accommodation they deserve.
Bottomley described years of underfunding having pushed services to “breaking point”, this resulting in closures, reduced provision and lengthy waiting lists, leaving survivors at risk of being unable to access support when they need it most.
