Thank you for contacting me about domestic and sexual violence (& VAWG).
Over the next four years, the Government will provide funding of £80 million for violence against women and girl (VAWG) services. This increased level of central funding will be used to transform local service delivery, so that more women and children are kept safe and more perpetrators are brought to justice.
To tackle domestic violence and its dreadful effects, the Government has already committed £40 million for domestic abuse services between 2016 and 2020, and provided a £2 million grant to Women's Aid and SafeLives to support a new domestic abuse early intervention project, as well as protecting funding of over £6.4 million to 86 female Rape Support Centres for 2016/17. The Government has also committed to a further year of funding to support the local provision of 144 Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and 87 Independent Sexual Violence Advisers for 2016/17.
I am proud that the last Conservative-led Government implemented Domestic Violence Protection Orders and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, seeking to protect victims from this abhorrent crime by providing critical breathing space for victims by restricting a perpetrator from returning to their home, and helping people make more informed choices about their options.
I fully support the Government in its stated aim of seeking a reduction in the prevalence of all forms of violence against women and girls, matched by increases in reporting, police referrals, prosecution and convictions for what can still be hidden crimes. There must be an emphasis on earlier intervention and prevention so that fewer women reach crisis point and every victim gets the support she needs - and the support her children need - at the right time. Let me assure you that this Government is committed to making sure women get the support they need to ensure long-term changes to their lives and the lives of their children.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
