VAWG charities write to Prime Minister setting out needs during COVID-19 pandemic

Today (6th April) specialist organisations in Violence against Women and Girls have published a letter to the Prime Minister calling for action at  the highest level and state that during COVID-19 “more women and girls will be abused and are at risk in this period.”

The letter published in full here sets out the need for urgent strategy and details a series of actions for government figures to enact in order to prevent and reduce abuse during the epidemic, and is signed by over 20 organisations.

We are calling for commitment at the highest level of government and from those leading key areas of public life to ensure there is zero tolerance of abuse, and to work with us so survivors of VAWG and their children can access the specialist services and other support they need.

We recommend:

1. Resourcing the specialist support sector:
2. Crisis response planning and coordination involving VAWG and abuse experts
3. Strong public messaging and guidance on VAWG
4. Equal protection for migrant survivors

The letter also includes a number of recommendations for individual government departments.

The full letter is available here.