Leeds Women’s Aid’s Chief Executive shares statement in response to the UK Government’s VAWG Strategy announced yesterday:
“The government yesterday today announced its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy as part of its ambitious plans to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade. The strategy rightly acknowledges the prevalence of abuse in our society, and we welcome its commitment to preventing abuse and its focus on healthy relationships among young people – a core priority for Leeds Women’s Aid.
While we recognise the importance of many elements of this strategy, we are particularly concerned about its proposals around NHS referrals and education of young people. The strategy outlines plans to roll out a new referral service across GP practices nationwide into specialist services such as ours. Although we appreciate the vital role of frontline NHS responses and the importance of ensuring victim-survivors do not fall through the gaps, domestic abuse services are already operating far beyond capacity. Additionally, specialist services like ours and others work with children and young people, deliver educational work and challenge the increasing norm of misogyny. We would request that our sector be consulted and considered for any funding in this area.
Any expansion of referral pathways through the NHS, and educational work, must be backed up with sustained and appropriate funding for specialist services, so we are able to meet the inevitable increase in demand. Without this investment, there is a risk of placing further strain on an already overstretched sector.
The impact on domestic abuse professionals must be fully considered and prioritised if the government is to achieve its goal of effectively reducing violence against women and girls.”
-Nik Peasgood, Chief Executive, Leeds Women’s Aid
You can access the strategy at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-from-violence-and-abuse-a-cross-government-strategy