Our health secretary, Wes Streeting, comments, “Women and girls live in the shadow of violence every day – both the threat and reality of it.” This comment resonated with me as I read it. Those two words “threat” and “reality” mean that no woman is unaffected by this issue. We must lament to God for those who have lost their lives or faced irreparable damage due to violence against women and girls (VAWG) and for the fact that women across the world live in fear of violence.
My emotions were mixed when I finished reading this strategy. The statistics are difficult to read and have reinforced the severity of the issue. Of course, it is encouraging that this issue is being prioritised and that vulnerable and hurting individuals are being advocated for. However, there is so much more to do. As a Christian, I am grateful that I can bring my confused and despairing thoughts to the God who cares deeply for each woman a statistic represents.
The rates of VAWG are the reason it has been named a national emergency, and the real problem is the impact on victims and survivors. Every statistic is an individual whose life has been turned upside down, many of whom do not get justice and live with the consequences for the rest of their lives. Right now, survivors are not receiving the support they need. This is why the strategy has announced the largest-ever investment of £550 million into victim support. This is good news; however, it must be used to meet the varying needs of different victims and survivors across our nation.
There are inconsistencies across the nation, meaning that an individual’s postcode, disability or ethnicity could impact the support they receive. This is one of the most urgent problems that needs addressing.
Multiple disadvantage occurs when a victim experiences a combination of homelessness, poor mental health, substance abuse and contact with the criminal justice system, leaving them facing additional barriers to accessing support. Subsequently, there will be £55.8 million invested in a new multiple disadvantage programme. The Department for Health and Social Care, Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions will work together to transform the responses of public services for those facing multiple disadvantage. Please be praying for us as we engage with these departments on this issue and many others.
There are proven statistical challenges in reporting for women of colour and those with insecure immigration status. Fear of the consequences of speaking out and the future can leave vulnerable women in abusive relationships. It is deeply important that the government successfully implement their planned requirement for police to seek a domestic abuse victim’s consent before sharing their information with immigration enforcement. This matters deeply as, regardless of someone’s immigration status, abuse is a complete distortion of God’s design for human relationships. It is important that we speak up for those who are unable to, as Jesus did, time and time again.
Member organisation Restored have commented on this:
"More must be done to ensure that specific resources are allocated to specialist services for the most vulnerable women. Support must be available that meets the particular intersectional needs of survivors, including faith, ethnicity and migration status."
Does your church offer volunteers and staff pastoral training in supporting an individual when they disclose something deeply traumatic? If not, why not check out the work of Restored, who help churches do just that, ensuring survivors of domestic abuse can feel safe and welcomed in the church family.
Improving survivors' experience of the justice system
The challenges do not stop once the initial conversation with the police is over but can increase once a case is brought to court. The government have pledged to improve the experience of giving evidence for victims and survivors of sexual violence. This will involve tackling rape myths and misconceptions and providing increased training for criminal justice practitioners to ensure they do not revictimise survivors. These plans are important but also vague. The process of giving evidence is deeply traumatic and often doesn’t lead to a criminal conviction. I hope the government continues to reflect and develop ways to support survivors through this process over the course of delivering this strategy.
You may well have a woman or young person in your church family who is currently going through the process of seeking justice. This can be incredibly painful and lonely, and it is imperative that we come alongside those experiencing this with compassion. We must offer support that is both practical and prayerful, reminding each other of our security in Christ. We must treat survivors with deep love and care. Feelings of shame can distort a survivor’s willingness to share, leaving many to carry these burdens alone. Romans 12:15 calls us to “weep with those who weep” and walking alongside those weighed down by past or current experiences of VAWG is critical.
We will continue to engage on this issue, speaking up for survivors, and for all women and girls, while also bringing this issue to the Lord, our Good Shepherd who holds eternity in His hands.
Preventing violence against women and girls is a mission for us all
Zanna Meynell starts to unpack the government’s new strategy and why churches also need to get involved in prevention
