Cynthia Nkomo's VAWG sector 2024 round-up

Welcome to Manchester Women’s Aid’s End of Year Research Round-Up!

As the year draws to a close, we take this opportunity to reflect on the key findings and insights in 2024. Compiled by Cynthia Nkomo, our Campaigns and Policy Officer, this end-of-year round-up highlights the most impactful studies and developments that have shaped our work and reinforced our commitment to promoting gender equality and supporting those affected by domestic abuse.

Measuring gender equality in the UK: data on violence against women and girls

Violence against women and girls is both a cause and consequence of gender inequalities, with its prevalence varying across the UK due to regional inequalities. Reliable and comparable data on VAWG is scarce, particularly at regional and local levels, and often lacks separation by characteristics other than sex, making it challenging to understand and address the issue effectively. The government's strategy emphasises the need for improved data collection and collaboration across government bodies and with sector organisations.

Recommendations to enhance the VAWG data landscape include:

• Collaborating with women's organisations for consistent data production across the UK, ideally below the subnational level.
• Collecting comparable data on VAWG disaggregated by protected characteristics, including sex, gender identity, relationship to the perpetrator, and sexual aspects of the relationship.
• Implementing a ‘Coordinated Community Response’ involving various agencies sharing responsibility for safety.
• Introducing data-sharing restrictions to allow individuals with insecure immigration status to access support without fear of enforcement.

These measures aim to improve understanding and address VAWG more effectively across the UK.

Stronger protections for stalking and harassment victims

The previous government announced measures making it easier for police to apply for stalking protection orders, meaning more victims will be protected earlier.

Police officers are instructed that they will no longer need to meet the high criminal standard of proof threshold to apply for a stalking protection order. This should make it easier for the police, CPS and courts to apply and grant an SPO.

Guidance issued under the Act, aims to assist police officers in making appropriate assessments when considering applying for or varying an order. It provides strategic guidance on the effective use and application process of Stalking Protection Orders, information on identifying stalking behaviour, and links to other forms of abuse. 

Joint mortgages report

A report by Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) reveals that over 750,000 UK women with joint mortgages have experienced economic abuse from current or former partners in the past two years. Perpetrators exploit joint mortgage agreements to exert financial control, leaving victims trapped in unsafe living conditions or facing financial insecurity. Under current laws, both parties remain equally liable for the mortgage, even if one leaves the property, complicating survivors' ability to escape without the abuser's consent.

Abusers employ tactics such as forcing victims to pay more than their share, accruing debts, and obstructing property sales. Over 78% of survivors reported that this abuse prevented them from leaving dangerous situations. Many were unable to access refuge services or housing benefits due to homeownership, leading some to homelessness or a return to abusive relationships.

The abuse causes severe emotional and financial harm, with 89% of survivors reporting anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Long-term impacts include ruined credit scores, significant debt, and costly legal battles to escape joint mortgages, often manipulated by abusers. Limited access to legal aid worsens the situation.

The report urges reforms, including a government task force, changes to legal aid, and updates to financial regulations. It calls for more flexible forbearance policies from financial institutions to protect survivors and support their financial independence.

Raneem's Law

The UK government, led by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has announced new measures to better protect victims of domestic abuse. Under the initiative, part of the broader mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade, domestic abuse specialists will be embedded in 999 control rooms to ensure urgent and expert responses to calls for help. This step is part of ‘Raneem’s Law,’ named after Raneem Oudeh and her mother, Khaola Saleem, who were murdered in 2018 after repeated police failures.

The government will fund a pilot of this initiative in early 2025. Specialists will work alongside police to improve risk assessments and responses, ensuring quicker victim support. A new domestic abuse protection order pilot, set to launch in November, will introduce stricter measures against abusers, including electronic tagging and longer protection orders, with breaching these orders becoming a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison.

The government also aims to implement wider systemic changes, including educational programs on healthy relationships, to address the root causes of violence. These measures are part of the Safer Streets Mission Board, which will ensure coordinated efforts across government to combat VAWG. The initiative has been widely welcomed by domestic abuse advocates and police officials.

The Ethnicity Motherhood Pay Penalty 

Motherhood significantly reduces women’s income, with black and minoritised women facing greater challenges due to ethnicity pay gaps and workplace inequalities. Key causes include reduced working hours, discrimination, lack of flexible work, and inadequate childcare. Mothers of two earn 26% less than childless women, while fathers earn 22% more.

Recommendations include affordable childcare, flexible work, mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting, mentorship programs, and accountability for workplace biases. These measures aim to reduce pay penalties and promote gender and racial equality.

Briefing on impact of Child Removal on women in GM

A briefing paper commissioned by the GMCA highlights the devastating impact of care proceedings on mothers in Greater Manchester, many of whom face challenges like abuse, homelessness, mental health issues, and substance misuse. The report, conducted by Agenda Alliance, identifies systemic failures and calls for urgent reform.

Key Findings:

• Complex and Isolating Processes: Mothers feel unsupported, relying solely on legal representation to navigate lengthy and emotionally taxing care proceedings.
• Fear of Disclosing Abuse: Many avoid reporting abuse due to fears of losing their children.
• Alienating Court Practices: Care proceedings are confusing, stigmatizing, and often inaccessible, with mothers feeling shamed and judged.
• Housing Instability: Pre-existing housing issues worsen after child removal, leaving mothers in long-term insecurity.
• Racism and Discrimination: Racial biases in public services negatively affect professional perceptions and decisions on child custody.

Recommendations:

• Specialist Support: Invest in wraparound services for women across Greater Manchester.
• Housing Solutions: Provide immediate housing for mothers post-child removal to support reunification efforts.
• Support Advocates: Fund dedicated advocates to guide and emotionally support mothers through care proceedings.
• Staff Training: Train professionals to reduce biases and stigma in child removal cases.

These measures aim to address the root causes of child removal and offer mothers the support needed to rebuild their lives.

Unsuccessful referrals into refuge

This briefing examines barriers to accessing refuge services based on 2022-23 On Track data, highlighting key reasons behind unsuccessful referrals and areas for improvement.

Key Findings:

• Lack of Capacity (40.6%): Refuges often lack bedspaces and resources to support survivors, especially those with mental health issues, disabilities, or large families.
• Survivor Declined Refuge Space (35.4%): Survivors decline spaces due to abuser control, unsuitable locations, or personal circumstances, often requiring multiple referrals.
• Inappropriate Referrals (18.0%): Some referrals involved individuals not experiencing domestic abuse, caused by limited understanding of refuge criteria among agencies.

Additional Insights:

• Shortages in specialist refuge spaces (e.g., wheelchair-accessible or mental health-supportive).
• Many referrals go unrecorded due to administrative burdens or oversubscription.

Recommendations:

• Increased Funding: £427 million annually for specialist domestic abuse services.
• Local Needs Assessments: Regular evaluations to ensure adequate refuge provision.
• Training for Agencies: Equip police and referral agencies to understand domestic abuse and refuge roles, reducing inappropriate referrals.

A fully funded, coordinated approach is essential to meet the demand for refuge services and provide effective support to survivors.