In what both the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and the Victim’s Commissioner are calling an “unprecedented intervention”, Dame Nicole Jacobs and Baroness Newlove jointly wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of the Spending Review warning that without further funding for domestic abuse services, the flagship target of halving violence against women and girls is at risk.
The letter to the Prime Minister expresses their concerns that funding cuts and increasing costs are pushing support services “to the brink,” jeopardising the ability of victims to access safety and justice and resulting in ineffective “piecemeal policies”. The letter calls for “bold and ambitious investment” and a “well-funded national approach to prevent and respond to abuse, violence and exploitation of women and girls.” The letter concludes by saying “The cost of inaction is one this country can no longer afford.”
The joint letter also criticises proposals in the Sentencing Review around early release of prisoners, warning they risk prioritising prison capacity over victim safety. Without the right safeguards in place, the proposals could “risk victims’ safety” and further erode trust in the system.
Responding to the joint letter llie Butt, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research at Refuge, said:
“Refuge welcomes the joint intervention by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and Victims Commissioner, as well as the warnings issued by senior police leaders. Their messages are clear: without urgent and sustained investment, the government risks failing in its commitment to halve violence against women and girls.
“As with others in the sector, Refuge’s frontline services – including refuges, helplines and community-based support – are under immense and growing pressure. We are supporting women and children with increasingly complex needs, all within a fragile and uncertain funding landscape. Services are doing everything they can, but they cannot do more with less.
“We echo the commissioners’ call: this spending review is a critical moment to define the government’s legacy on tackling domestic abuse. Words of commitment must be matched by bold and ambitious investment – anything less will cost lives.”
Read the Commissioners’ joint letter to the Prime Minister
For the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s press release see here
For the Victim’s Commissioner’s press release see here
For the Refuge press release see here.
Original reporting by Family Law Week