--- title: Addressing violence against women and girls date: 2026-03-06T09:43:00+00:00 author: Zanna Meynell canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/resources/our-resources/videos-and-podcasts/cross-section/addressing-violence-against-women-and-girls" section: Pages --- [ ![CS Ep 111 Thumbnail A 20](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![CS Ep 111 Thumbnail A 20](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ## Addressing violence against women and girls ### Watch Cross Section here ](#%0A%09%09%09) The issue of violence against women and girls (VAWG) is urgent and far too prevalent in the UK. Our news feeds have been filled by stories such as the fallout of the Epstein files and the grooming gangs. The statistics are awful, and it can be hard to know how we can respond and what we can do as Christians. Zanna Meynell, David Smyth, Rani Joshi and Damilola Makinde sit down for an honest and nuanced conversation about VAWG, the government’s new strategy to reduce it and what we can be doing in our churches. They cover what we can do about both our young girls and boys, the nuances involved in people’s experiences coming from different cultures and backgrounds, and how our churches can be safer, more welcoming places for survivors. [Check out the work of Restored](https://www.restored-uk.org/) – an Evangelical Alliance member organisation working to make churches safer for women who have experienced domestic violence. Read our [articles about the government’s strategy](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/advocacy/violence-against-women-and-girls). #### Further reading: [Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls Volume 1 Strategy](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697c7e14043a4ade0f7b503f/31.260_VAWG_01_Strategy_Slip_FINAL_v5_290126_WEB.pdf) [Freedom from violence and abuse: men and boys explanatory note (accessible) — GOV​.UK](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-from-violence-and-abuse-a-cross-government-strategy/freedom-from-violence-and-abuse-men-and-boys-explanatory-note-accessible) [Labour’s Freedom from Violence and Abuse strategy: a closer look — Restored](https://www.restored-uk.org/blog/labour-strategy/) [Lost Boys: State of the Nation](https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CSJ-The_Lost_Boys.pdf) #### Chapters: 0:00 Introduction and defining VAWG 2:08 The state of VAWG in the UK 8:52 What the Bible says about violence against women 19:42 Government strategy to halve VAWG in a decade 25:27 Discipling young people in the church 34:51 Creating safe spaces for survivors 37:43 Cultural nuances and the gospel 41:05 Navigating cultural blind spots 43:58 A message to men: help and heal 45:47 Closing [ ![How your church can become a safer space for survivors of violence against women and girls](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Restored9 3](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Restored9-3.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-your-church-can-become-a-safer-space-for-survivors-of-violence-against-women-and-girls) [#### How your church can become a safer space for survivors of violence against women and girls ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-your-church-can-become-a-safer-space-for-survivors-of-violence-against-women-and-girls) Domestic abuse needs to be addressed by the church; Christian charity Restored helps us do so [ ![Zanna Meynell](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/zanna-meynell) [ Zanna Meynell ](/author/zanna-meynell) 29 October 2025 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/how-your-church-can-become-a-safer-space-for-survivors-of-violence-against-women-and-girls) [ ![Confronting violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Northern Ireland](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Untitled design 41](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/Untitled-design-41_2026-01-16-100914_ohtn.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/confronting-violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg-in-northern-ireland) [#### Confronting violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Northern Ireland ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/confronting-violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg-in-northern-ireland) Northern Ireland associate Nick Johnston explores three ways you can help challenge violence against women and girls [ ![Nick Johnston](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/nick-johnston) [ Nick Johnston ](/author/nick-johnston) 12 January 2026 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/confronting-violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg-in-northern-ireland)