December 24th 2024.
The leaders of five leading victims' and women's charities have expressed their concern to the Prime Minister about the potential impact of funding cuts and an increase in employers' national insurance contributions on victims of domestic and sexual violence. In a joint letter, representatives of Rape Crisis England and Wales, Victim Support, Welsh Women's Aid, Imkaan, and Women's Aid Federation of England have warned that these moves could jeopardize the government's mission to halve violence against women and girls. According to them, the criminal justice system is in chaos, faith in the police is at an all-time low, and court delays have reached record levels. They also highlight that VAWG-related offences now account for twenty percent of all police recorded crime.
In their open letter, the charities stress the need for vital support services for survivors, especially during these challenging times. They believe that by cutting funding and raising national insurance, the government is putting the future of these services in danger and potentially denying a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence. If these moves go ahead, the charities fear that the government's mission to halve VAWG will be at risk.
The letter also references a survey report by Rape Crisis England and Wales, which revealed that a third of Rape Crisis centres are expecting to issue redundancy notices before the end of the financial year, and 30% of directors are concerned that their centre may have to shut down. Both the funding cut and the increase in employers' national insurance contributions are set to take effect from April next year. The charities warn that while the increase in national insurance contributions alone will cost them millions of pounds, the true cost will be borne by victims of crime.
The letter goes on to provide helpful information for anyone who has been a victim of rape and is seeking support. It advises victims to first seek safety and then either report the rape to the police or talk to someone they trust. The charities also mention various helplines available for victims to seek support and urge victims to preserve any DNA evidence by avoiding washing their clothes or showering.
The letter also highlights the fact that support is available for historic cases of rape and encourages victims to come forward and report the crime, as there is no time limit on reporting and their account can still be used as evidence. The charities have requested an increase in their funding to cover the costs of the national insurance rise and have asked for a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer to discuss these issues and ensure continued support for victims.
In addition to this, the letter announces the launch of Metro's year-long campaign, This Is Not Right, which aims to address the epidemic of violence against women. The campaign, in partnership with Women's Aid, aims to engage and empower readers on this important issue. The letter also directs readers to more articles on the campaign and encourages them to share their own stories.
The charities hope that their letter will bring attention to the severity of the situation and urge the government to take action to protect the vital services that support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. They stress that the government must deliver on their manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls and ensure that all women and children have access to the specialist support they need to escape abuse and rebuild their lives. In response, a government spokesperson has stated that their mission to halve violence against women and girls remains a top priority, and they are committed to ensuring that justice is delivered for victims through the court system. They also assure that support for victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse will be protected.
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