A flagship government strategy designed to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) has been labelled as "seriously underfunded" and at risk of failing to meet its own objectives, according to a damning new analysis.
Funding Shortfall Threatens Core Aims
The report, published by the leading domestic abuse charity Refuge, scrutinises the government's latest Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. It concludes that the funding allocated is insufficient to deliver the ambitious changes promised. The strategy, which was launched with the stated aim of preventing violence, supporting victims, and pursuing perpetrators, is reportedly operating with a significant financial gap.
Refuge's analysis points out that while the strategy outlines numerous important initiatives, the £907 million committed to tackling VAWG over three years is not new money in its entirety. A substantial portion of this figure represents pre-announced funding, including core budgets for existing services. This has led to criticism that the government is not providing the additional, dedicated resources needed to enact a transformative national plan.
Charity Warns of Real-World Consequences
Ruth Davison, the chief executive of Refuge, issued a stark warning about the implications of this underfunding. She stated that without proper investment, the strategy's goals remain "words on a page" rather than a tangible reality for women seeking safety. The charity emphasises that specialist services, which are often life-saving for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence, require secure and substantial long-term funding to operate effectively.
The report highlights that many frontline services are already stretched to capacity, dealing with high demand while facing financial uncertainty. The perceived lack of new, ring-fenced funding for the VAWG strategy raises serious concerns about the sustainability of these vital support networks and their ability to implement new measures envisioned by the government.
Government Response and Ongoing Pressure
In response to the criticism, a government spokesperson defended the administration's record. They cited the £907 million funding package and pointed to other measures such as the Domestic Abuse Act and increased support for rape victims. The spokesperson reiterated the government's commitment to making the UK the safest place for women and girls.
However, campaigners and sector leaders argue that the financial commitment does not match the scale of the crisis. They are calling for a clear, fully costed plan that allocates new money specifically to bolster the VAWG strategy. The pressure is now on ministers to address the funding gap or risk the strategy being viewed as a public relations exercise rather than a genuine attempt to combat endemic violence.
The publication of this report is likely to intensify debate in Parliament and among policy experts about the resources required to effectively protect women and girls. With demand for support services remaining high, the question of adequate funding is set to remain a critical and contentious issue.
