WRUK response to Government's VAWG strategy

Government must properly invest in primary prevention against violence

The Government has announced its Tackling Violence Against Women And Girls Strategy. Whilst it’s aim is to reduce violence against women and girls, there needs to be proper investment in primary prevention, specifically working with men and boys, to make a significant change.

In response to the publication of the strategy, Anthea Sully, Chief Executive, White Ribbon UK, has released the following statement:

“We welcome this strategy from the Government which will aim to reduce violence against women. Violence against women is prevalent, often normalised in society and exists on our streets, in workplaces, pubs and clubs, schools and homes. 86% of women have been harassed in public places, 9 in 10 girls of school age have experienced sexist name calling or sent explicit videos and 1 in 2 women have experienced harassment in the workplace. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and every year in the UK 120-150 women are killed by men. This violence, coupled with women’s fear of men’s violence significantly reduces women’s freedom to live the lives they want to lead.

Violence against women is nearly always perpetrated by men. The attitudes towards women that all men experience as they grow up creates an environment that allows violence to flourish.

At White Ribbon UK we work with men and boys to raise awareness, so they think of their own behaviour and that of their friends and colleagues. All men can help to prevent violence from happening in the first place. We are glad that the Government recognise this approach in the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, but we remain concerned that this work will still not get the funding that is needed. A public awareness campaign, as announced, can do much to challenge people’s attitudes and dispel myths but can only be effective if supported with strategic ongoing work to engage with men and boys in schools, communities and workplaces. We call in the Government to fully back up the strategy with the investment in primary prevention that is needed.”