Welsh Women’s Aid welcomes this week’s announcement from the UK Government that they will be investing £550 million into specialist services over the next three years. This will focus on practical and emotional support to survivors and witnesses, such as counselling and advice on navigating the court process. We are also pleased to see that there will be a focus on improving the courts system and reducing the backlog of cases that continues to delay justice.
We know that ending violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) requires far more than post-incident support. A whole-system approach must prioritise prevention and early intervention, alongside high-quality, trauma-informed responses when harm has occurred. This means sustained investment not only in specialist VAWDASV services but also in the wider systems that enable safety and recovery- including education, housing, welfare, health, and community programmes.
While this new funding is a positive step, it comes in the context of a 4% cut to victims’ services last year. During a cost-of-living crisis, when the operating costs for services continue to rise, the impact of these cuts cannot be understated. Every year our State of the Sector report clearly demonstrates the importance of secure and sustainable funding for specialist services so that they can continue to provide their lifesaving support day in day out.
We urge ministers to ensure that this new funding reaches smaller organisations and by and for services, and that it is distributed in a way that does not reproduce the postcode lottery currently experienced by survivors. True progress will only be achieved when all survivors, wherever they live, and whatever their background, can access the specialist help they need.