Welsh Women’s Aid release the yearly State of the Sector report today which paints a difficult picture for the future for services supporting survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV).
Like all of us, our member services are facing increasing costs, impossible decisions and tight budgets. These difficult challenges are being met head on by a phenomenal workforce that is being left without the support they need from statutory services. Statutory services are also tightening their budgets, leaving the third sector to pick up the pieces.
The UK Government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls, but with a 4.2% cut in the budget for victim services and an increase in national insurance contributions, this pledge can ring hollow for many. There needs to be a vital uplift in the funding available for services, not a cut.
Worryingly, 88% of our member services have also experienced an increase in demand on their services. Our very own Live Fear Free Helpline has seen a 35% increase in talk time. Survivors are facing additional barriers as a result of statutory systems that are not set up to reflect and support all lived experiences.
Year after year, our reports highlight the critical need for change. It is vital that the UK Government, Welsh Government and Local Authorities prioritise truly ending violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Without properly funding support services and ensuring that consideration of survivors is taken into account when drafting legislation and policies, survivors will be left to face an epidemic that is not being treated.
Welsh Women’s Aid CEO, Sara Kirkpatrick said:
“Specialist services offer the independent trusted support which survivors vitally deserve. This report, yet again, exposes the critical challenges facing specialist support services. It exposes how each problem compounds and exacerbates the last, and year upon year we publish this document which describes the problem as well as offering recommendations for change. Year upon year those recommendations are ignored.
The price is being paid by survivors who are turned away from support, by specialist support workers visiting foodbanks to make ends meet, the price of inaction is measured not in pounds but lives limited and lives lost. I am sorry to say that the rhetoric of urgency continues to be accompanied by actions of complacency when it comes to violence against women and girls.”
Stephanie Grimshaw, Head of Public Affairs and Communications said:
“Many services are tired of raising the same challenges time and time again. The situation cannot be left untreated. The violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence sector is not just on it’s knees, it is being pushed down by unfunded asks, systems that do not work together and poorly considered legislation.
It is important that every survivor gets the support that they need. This can only happen when VAWDASV is addressed with a whole systems approach which tailors the support to the needs of every single survivor.”
Despite these challenges, support services are providing support to survivors across Wales. Our Member Services and Live Fear Free Helpline are ready to help if you require support.
Anyone experiencing violence against women, domestic abuse or sexual violence, or abuse, or those concerned about somebody at risk – support is available to you now.
Live Fear Free is a confidential and independent helpline that can provide advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 07860077333 or email [email protected]. You can also access the Live Fear Free Helpline online chat by heading to: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free
For more information, please contact Stephanie Grimshaw, Head of Public Affairs and Communications on [email protected]