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Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Halving it Through Preparing

Perspectives

 

Samantha Cunningham, Executive Director (Strategy) | Callyane Desroches, Head of Policy and Strategy | Rosie Margolis, Senior Analyst | Anousha Karim, Junior Analyst


Friday 31 January 2025




In this series, we address  the government's commitment to halve VAWG. Building on our work to help shape the Policing VAWG National Framework for Delivery [1], we apply the 4P framework – Prevent, Protect, Pursue, Prepare – to identify tangible actions, beyond policing, that are needed to drive forward a consistent, unified response to VAWG. 


To conclude this series, we consider how the system can better prepare to coordinate and tackle the VAWG epidemic. 



The problem


Violence against women and girls is a systemic issue, constituting high-volume, high-harm crimes that the current system is woefully unprepared to address. The scale of the problem is staggering: over one million VAWG-related crimes were recorded from 2022-23 [2], yet low reporting figures indicate that this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true extent of violence against women and girls [3].


Systemic issues require systemic solutions. Yet, the status quo continues to fail victims and survivors. Leadership and accountability are lacking, and there is no unified strategy to address the root causes and deliver an effective, joined-up response. While specialist services work tirelessly to provide critical support, they are constrained by the wider system which remains ill-prepared to tackle the complexity and scale of VAWG. The Government, police, healthcare, education, and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) must come together to build a system that is better prepared, and designed with victims and survivors at its core. 


A clear indication that the system is failing are the pervasive barriers to reporting violence and abuse. Victims and survivors often encounter an uncoordinated and unsupportive response, with many voicing concerns about policing as the primary gateway to support, citing the systemic barriers, complexities and failures they have faced [4]. Reporting pathways and subsequent support should be safe, accessible and straightforward to navigate, but for many - especially minoritised communities [5] - the current system falls short. Simply put, the system is neither adequate nor prepared to meet their needs. Every victim and survivor should have access to timely and appropriate support, in the way they choose, regardless of the outcome which they seek. 


For those who do come forward, the response is too often dictated by geography rather than need. Access to support remains a ‘postcode lottery’, with victims and survivors relying on services that are overstretched, under-funded, and unable to keep up with rising demand [6]. The result is a fragmented response, leaving many victims and survivors without the support they need. 


The solution


Halving violence against women and girls requires a system that is fully prepared to respond to its scale and complexity. This starts with strong national and regional leadership, clear accountability, and a unified strategy. VAWG must be treated as a national priority, with consistent funding and aligned objectives across government, policing, healthcare, education and the VCS. 


There is valuable insight to be drawn from the Serious Violence Duty, which demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration, effective information-sharing and targeted interventions can reduce harm [7]. Tackling VAWG requires the same level of multi-agency accountability, with leaders held responsible for ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support they need [8].


To be effective, the system must provide trusted, accessible pathways for reporting and support. These pathways should meet victims and survivors where they are - whether or not they seek a criminal justice outcome - and be underpinned by wraparound services that address mental and physical health, housing and long-term recovery. Equally, preparation within the criminal justice system is crucial. Specialist training, faster case progression, and survivor-focused proceedings are essential to reducing re-traumatisation, and improving justice outcomes. Every service must be equipped with the capacity, resources, and expertise to effectively respond to VAWG. 


The sexual assault referral centre (SARC) model demonstrates how a well-prepared system can transform the response to violence against women and girls. By integrating healthcare, policing and specialist support into a victim and survivor-focused ‘one-stop-shop’, SARCs remove many of the barriers that deter individuals from seeking help. Victims and survivors can access immediate crisis care, forensic services, and pathways to longer-term support in one location [9], which reduces the burden of having to navigate multiple, fragmented services.


SARCs also provide safe, integrated pathways for reporting, allowing victims and survivors to disclose their experiences at their own pace, while receiving specialist, trauma-informed support. This is particularly vital for cases requiring timely forensic evidence [10], and ensures that victims and survivors are not failed by delays or inefficiencies in the system. The SARC model proves that when the system is prepared, victims and survivors are empowered, and outcomes are improved [11]


Conclusion


To realise their full potential, the Government must scale up investment in SARCs, expanding delivery nationwide, and piloting the model for domestic abuse. However, VAWG is also a volume problem which cannot be addressed through SARCs alone. The principles that make SARCs effective - trauma-informed support, collaboration, and accessibility - must inform the entire system response, ensuring society as a whole is prepared to tackle the scale and complexity of violence against women and girls.



About the authors

Sam worked on developing the National Policing Statement 2024 For Violence Against Women and Girls alongside the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing. Contact: samantha.cunningham@crestadvisory.com
Sam worked on developing the National Policing Statement 2024 For Violence Against Women and Girls alongside the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing. Contact: samantha.cunningham@crestadvisory.com
Callyane has extensive experiences working with victims and survivors of VAWG and developing domestic abuse safe accommodation and support. Contact: callyane.desroches@crestadvisory.com
Callyane has extensive experiences working with victims and survivors of VAWG and developing domestic abuse safe accommodation and support. Contact: callyane.desroches@crestadvisory.com











Rosie has worked on projects to develop a whole systems approach to VAWG, and previously worked at a charity helping women who have experienced domestic abuse. Contact: rosie.margolis@crestadvisory.com  
Rosie has worked on projects to develop a whole systems approach to VAWG, and previously worked at a charity helping women who have experienced domestic abuse. Contact: rosie.margolis@crestadvisory.com  
Anousha has conducted research into recent policy developments in VAWG, and has supported with engagement on public inquires. Contact: anousha.karim@crestadvisory.com
Anousha has conducted research into recent policy developments in VAWG, and has supported with engagement on public inquires. Contact: anousha.karim@crestadvisory.com











To get in touch with our team, please contact us via our emails above or via contact@crestadvisory.com.

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