The government has announced a major expansion of specialist NHS services for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence across England. This forms a core part of Labour's manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls within the next ten years.
Ending the Postcode Lottery in Support
Central to the plan is the launch of a new national referral service, enabling victims to access specialist help directly through their GP. Dubbed the "steps to safety" initiative, it will be rolled out to every area of England by 2029 to end the postcode lottery in support.
To ensure effective implementation, GP practice staff in all regions will receive enhanced training. This will equip them to better identify signs of domestic abuse and sexual violence and respond appropriately to those in need.
Trauma-Informed Care for Child Survivors
The strategy also includes a significant focus on child survivors of sexual abuse. Both boys and girls will gain access to specialist trauma-informed care based on the "child house" model.
This approach brings together different agencies—including police, health, social care, and therapy services—under one roof to provide coordinated support for the child and their family. A key benefit is that children only need to recount their experiences once, sparing them the trauma of repeated interviews with multiple agencies.
Modelled on successful programmes in the US and Iceland, there is currently only one such centre in the UK: The Lighthouse in north London. The government has committed to expanding this model to all NHS regions in England, backed by up to £50m in funding.
Broader Strategy to Tackle a "National Emergency"
This NHS initiative is part of a wider government strategy on violence against women and girls (VAWG), which Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has labelled a "national emergency". The full strategy is set to be launched on Thursday, after being delayed three times this year.
Other measures announced include the nationwide rollout of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) across England and Wales. These orders can impose curfews, electronic tags, and exclusion zones on abusers and cover all forms of abuse, including economic control, coercive behaviour, and stalking. Breaching a DAPO can result in a prison sentence of up to five years.
Furthermore, specialist investigation teams for rape and sexual offences will be created across England and Wales. Nearly £2m will also fund a network of officers to target offenders operating in online spaces, using covert and intelligence techniques to tackle violence against women and girls on apps and websites.
