Press Release

10 December 2020

Refuge responds to Government announcement on call for evidence on tackling violence against women and girls

Refuge, the country’s largest single provider of specialist violence against women and girls service, responds to the Government’s announcement on call for evidence on tackling violence against women and girls.
Carole Easton, interim CEO at Refuge said:

“Refuge is pleased to see the government marking Human Rights Day with an announcement about violence against women and girls (VAWG) – the most pressing issue facing women and girls around the world. Refuge welcomes this call for evidence on tackling VAWG, and will be submitting to this important review.

‘However, Refuge considers the best and most effective way to tackle and indeed end VAWG is through a comprehensive strategy that understands all forms of violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse, as a continuum of gender based violence and abuse. Separating the VAWG strategy from the domestic abuse strategy could be a step back and Refuge would welcome further clarity from the Government on how it intends the two strategies to relate to each other, specifically how domestic abuse will continue to be dealt with as part of the overall strategy to end VAWG. We look forward to formally providing the government with our evidence on what is needed to challenge and eliminate Violence against Women and Girls, and ensure the most impactful solutions are prioritised which best protect and support survivors.”

The call for evidence is open from 10 December 2020 until 19 February 2021.

ENDS

For more information contact press@refuge.org.uk

Refuge encourages all media outlets to signpost to Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline, for free and confidential support, 24 hours a day,  call 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to access live chat.