Women working on the frontline of VAWG share insights on impact of the pandemic on public awareness and what steps are needed to create lasting change.
Research launched today by Rosa has highlighted the urgent need for greater funding to tackle male violence against women and girls (VAWG) as leading voices from within the sector reveal an increasing demand for their services and reflect on a significant shift in public awareness of the issue over the past year. The findings come as the UN day for the elimination of violence against women is marked by countries across the world today.
The research was undertaken by Rosa with representatives from over 320 organisations working with and for those affected by VAWG and found that 89% of respondents believe there has been a noticeable shift in public awareness of VAWG over the last twelve months, largely attributed to more high-profile coverage in the press of issues such as domestic violence throughout the pandemic (80%). The results also reveal that 77% of the organisations surveyed believe the risk of violence faced by the women and girls they work with has increased during the last year, which is why it’s so important that the momentum created during the pandemic around bringing the issue to the fore is maintained.
When asked to describe how the needs of women and girls they work with have changed over the last year 62% of organisations had experienced an increased demand for mental health support, 40% for longer-term, specialist women’s services and 28% for tailored by and for services e.g. for black and minoritised women or women with disabilities, while 37% pointed to the increased financial hardships experienced by women during the pandemic.
Earlier this year Rosa launched the Stand With Us fund, utilising and continuing the amazing fundraising efforts of Reclaim These Streets in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard. A special advisory group has now been set up including representatives from Reclaim These Streets and Rosa along with those from a range of frontline VAWG organisations to help decide how the grant-making from this unique fund should be run, before it makes grants next year.
Rebecca Gill, Executive Director of Rosa comments: “It was important to us to hear from the women’s and girls’ organisations across the country who are working tirelessly to support those whose lives are impacted by male violence The findings have confirmed that we have reached a critical turning point in how we as a society perceive, discuss and address this vital issue.
Money raised as part of the Stand With Us fund will help us to ensure that the women’s and girls’ organisations which know best what will make the biggest difference to those affected by VAWG receive the funding they need to continue this important work.”
Jamie Klingler, co-founder of Reclaim These Streets added: “We were overwhelmed by the generosity of those who made pledges to our fundraiser when it was first set up in March, and those who continue to do so, and we’re very glad to be working with Rosa and the rest of the Stand With Us Advisory Group who we know have the expertise to make sure the funds create the greatest possible positive impact for women. There is a massive public wake up going on around the daily reality of the threat of violence in women’s lives and it’s crucial that we listen to and support those working on the frontline of VAWG if we are to help accelerate the changes we urgently need.”
While awareness of the issue is undoubtedly increasing, just 39% of those surveyed said they feel hopeful that we are making progress towards reducing VAWG. Some of the factors that were believed to be most critical in creating positive change include better/more education in schools (56%), challenges to media and cultural representations of women and girls which harm or objectify (49%) and tougher sentencing for perpetrators (32%). A further 66% believed long term grant funding which is not competitively tendered would be a crucial factor in ensuring women affected by VAWG are able to access the help they need and would like to see this introduced as an additional measure in the Government’s recently announced plan to tackle VAWG.
Beverley Williams from the charity Amadudu Women’s Refuge is one of the members of the Stand With Us fund advisory panel and commented: “The Domestic Violence Bill was welcomed however focused heavily on criminal justice, policing and surveillance. As a grass roots specialist by and for refuge provider, we are very aware of the continued lack of investment in the voluntary sector in supporting women victims of abuse, or on trying to prevent violence against women happening in the first place. There needs to be an improved vision and ambition by Government that aligns its strategic plans and investment into sustaining services who have over 40 years of expertise in delivering lifesaving support for women and girls.”
“I’m pleased to be advising Rosa on how to make the money raised via the Stand With Us fund work best for women, an important part of which is recognising that women and girls face different barriers to getting justice and support due to their race, age, class background and any disability. I hope the grants we’re able to make with this money, which was pledged in hundreds of small donations by people from all walks of life, will make a difference to systemic efforts to end violence against women and girls.”
As efforts to raise money for the Stand With Us fund continue, so too does the fight to keep the issue of VAWG in the spotlight in order to create pressure for change. In fact, 68% of the organisations surveyed believe this will be one of the biggest challenges they face over the coming year.