Rally outside Parliament to raise awareness of domestic abuse against women and girls ahead of election

A UK domestic violence charity have held a rally outside of parliament to raise awareness of violence against women and girls, with charity bosses calling incidents of gender based brutality ‘truly an epidemic’. 

Women’s Aid held s rally in Parliament Square along with sector colleagues Resect, Rights of Women and Advance to raise awareness of domestic abuse ahead of the UK general election on July 4th. In a two week countdown until the next government is selected the organisations say the united voice of the divisions is ‘more important than ever’.

The rally, attended by several women’s charities and ambassador Alice Liveing, aimed to highlight the organisation’s manifesto key asks and galvanise the soon-to-be elected Government to commit to solving the domestic abuse issues in the country, ‘once and for all’. Statistics show that one in four women experiencing domestic abuse at some point in their lives, Women’s Aid say that it is vital that future Government commit to the following actions in order to help build a society in which domestic abuse is no longer tolerated:  

The have proposed that the government invests to save in order to fund specialist women’s services ‘to save lives and money’. Based on its own recent research, Women’s Aid is calling on the future Government to invest £427 million per year, along with ring-fenced funding for specialist ‘by and for’ services. For every pound invested in domestic abuse services, the public purse would see a saving of at least £9 for every pound invested, according to the charity.

The manifesto calls for increased support for survivors and that forces should deliver the right response the first time’. They say it is vital that survivors are listened to and believed, knowing that no matter where they turn, they will be supported and protected. 

 Women’s Aid have called for more abuse prevention which would include what they call a  ‘transformation of societal attitudes and understanding. In order for us to create a society in which domestic abuse is no longer tolerated, misogynistic and sexist attitudes that underpin it must be challenged and eradicated.’

Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, has said of the proposed reforms and current standing of government input:

“Despite the progress made in recent years when it comes to raising awareness of violence against women and girls, as well as the societal norms that underpin it, there is still more to be done for women and children to feel truly safe. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their life – it is truly an epidemic in our society. Despite this sobering figure, the domestic abuse, and larger VAWG sector, has faced ongoing challenges when it comes to securing funding and therefore, providing survivors with the life-saving help they need. This must stop. I am hopeful that today’s rally has shone a light on our cause and will motivate the future Government to take this issue seriously, giving us and our colleagues the resources we need to eradicate this heinous crime.” 

The CEO of Respect has worked closely with Women’s Aid for many years and has issued a plea for the next government to put an end to domestic abuse by offering more support for survivors and a pot for specialist funding.

Jo Todd, chief executive of Respect, comments:  

“I’m here in support of Women’s Aid who Respect has worked with closely for many years. Our message is clear: the next Government has to end domestic abuse, by supporting survivors, stopping perpetrators and preventing abuse in the first place.   

“In order to do this, we need all political parties to commit to funding specialist services in the voluntary sector, and also to improving state systems and services.   

“We challenge the incoming Government to be bold and ambitious, and to work with us to bring about big change”. 

 CE of Advance, Liz Mack says she was ‘proud’ to show solidarity with the Women’s Aid rally today and has echoed sentiments that issues around parliament’s purse strings will aid survivors.

Liz Mack, comments: “Advance is proud to show solidarity with Women’s Aid by joining their rally in Westminster and sharing their calls for the next government to prioritise ending domestic abuse. 

“The damning and unacceptable reality is that one woman a week is murdered by a current or former partner. Domestic violence isn’t a ‘women’s issue’. It is a national epidemic and it is everyone’s business – particularly whoever holds the power and purse strings after 4 July.  

“Advance has published its own General Election Manifesto, using evidence of what we witness doing frontline work with women, to urge the next government to build a long-term plan for a safe, just and equal world for women and girls.” 

 The Director of Rights of Women has cited that unique insight and legal expertise has demonstrated the scope of the ‘endemic’ issue affecting thousands of women every year, she has called for better outcomes within the UK courts and a higher conviction rates for those who are the victims of sexual violence. 

Estelle du Boulay, Director at Rights of Women, comments: 

“We’re calling on the next government to listen to the victim-survivors and services that make up our sector. Our expertise and experience are crucial to closing the justice gap for victims of violence against women and girls.   

“We, at Rights of Women, support thousands of women every year experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence and have unique insight and legal expertise that will transform women’s access to safety and justice in society.

She continued: “Commitments to reducing Violence Against Women and Girls cannot be achieved without improving the family justice system; this could be achieved by fully implementing the family court recommendations in the Harm Report and prohibiting the use of parental alienation or related pseudo concepts. We also want to see the introduction of laws for separating cohabitating partners so that their property and finances can be dealt with fairly and in a way that prioritises safety for survivors of domestic abuse.  

“Within the criminal justice system, we need to see better outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual violence. It is well-evidenced that establishing a scheme of free and independent legal advice and representation for victim-survivors would improve their access to justice. This must come with the express commitment that funding for this service will not be taken from existing victim support services, such as PCC grants for victims’ services, which are already struggling.” 

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