Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
VAWG charities face overwhelming, complex demands, exceeding capacity due to external factors.
Conclusion
Women’s Aid told the Committee that the demands being faced by charities are increasing both in volume and complexity.20 For example, demand for specialist mental health support for survivors has increased following the COVID–19 pandemic, with over 45% of people in refuges now presenting with mental health problems.21 Women’s Aid described the current situation as a “crisis”, and explained that refuges have to refuse 65% of requests for a place and community–based services can only support 50% of people who ask for help.22 Written evidence submitted to the Committee highlighted how external factors such as housing shortages and the increased cost–of–living are exacerbating these demands. It is therefore becoming increasingly difficult to provide victims and survivors with safe accommodation, in turn increasing demands on temporary refuges.23
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, highlighting ongoing engagement with experts and survivors to shape the VAWG Strategy. It also details the expansion of the Ministry of Justice’s Private Law Pathfinder project to support domestic abuse survivors through the criminal and family courts system across ten areas by March 2026.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 Through ministerially chaired VAWG thematic roundtables with sector experts, delivery partners, academics, policing, local practitioners and government departments, and regular stakeholder meetings held by the Interpersonal Abuse Unit, the upcoming VAWG Strategy has been shaped by the views and insights of sector experts, delivery partners and victims. 2.3 The government has sought to engage with survivors through the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s (DAC) VOICES network which gives victims and survivors an opportunity to share their experiences to influence policy development. The network was consulted on numerous themes in the development of the VAWG Strategy. At the DAC’s Survivor Summit (March 2025) Ministers and senior officials heard first-hand powerful testimonies from survivors about the criminal justice system, accessing victim support services, housing, benefits, healthcare and welfare. 2.4 The Home Office created a VAWG Strategy Advisory Board, comprised of 20 core attendees, including two rotating seats for specialist organisations to bring frontline perspectives to strategy development. The Home Office regularly engages with a wide range of specialist and frontline services from across England and Wales to ensure organisations receiving grant funding are delivering value for money and informing broader policy development. 2.5 The Director-level leads in key partner departments, namely the Department for Education, Ministry of Justice and Health and Social Care, will drive accountability in delivering the new Strategy through the Safer Streets Mission. This will draw together cross-government plans spanning the whole breadth of work on VAWG prevention, victim support to transforming the justice system. The Ministry of Justice’s Private Law Pathfinder project in the family courts aims to improve the experience and outcomes for children and families, particularly those needing additional support such as domestic abuse survivors. It supports earlier identification of families’ needs and stronger multi-agency working, including with HMCTS, Cafcass, Cafcass Cymru, local authorities, police, and specialist services. The model is running in six court areas currently, including all of Wales, with plans to extend to a further four areas by end of March 26. Feedback and evaluation on delivery to date is showing positive results. 2.6 The Home Office will continue to take a survivor-informed approach, including continued engagement with services supporting survivors and working with the Ministry of Justice on supporting individuals through the criminal and family courts system.