As news of Jess Phillips’ resignation from her prominent role as Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding reverberates through political and charitable circles, Women’s Aid CEO Farah Nazeer has extended profound gratitude for Phillips’ relentless dedication, while simultaneously issuing a stark warning about the persistent epidemic of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and the precarious state of survivor services. Nazeer’s statement underscored Phillips’ crucial role in amplifying the voices and needs of survivors for years, expressing confidence that her commitment to the cause would remain unwavering in future endeavours. This departure comes at a time when the sector faces immense pressure, grappling with chronic underfunding and the urgent need for robust government intervention to safeguard women and children across the UK.
The Voice for Survivors: Jess Phillips’ Indelible Legacy
Jess Phillips, the Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley since 2015, has distinguished herself as one of the most outspoken and passionate advocates for women’s rights and an end to VAWG in the UK Parliament. Her resignation from the Shadow Cabinet in January 2024, citing a desire to focus on her constituency and other commitments, marks the end of a significant chapter in the political fight against domestic abuse. Throughout her tenure, particularly as Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, Phillips brought a raw, personal, and unapologetic intensity to debates surrounding violence against women.
One of her most impactful and poignant traditions involved reading aloud the names of women killed by domestic violence in the UK over the past year during parliamentary sessions, a solemn act that humanised devastating statistics and forced legislators to confront the brutal reality of the crisis. This powerful practice served as a regular, sobering reminder of the human cost of inaction and systemic failures. Phillips was also instrumental in the legislative journey of the landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021. She championed its provisions, relentlessly pushed for its comprehensive implementation, and critically scrutinised any perceived weaknesses or gaps, ensuring that the voices of survivors were central to its development. Her advocacy extended beyond legislative chambers, frequently engaging with grassroots organisations, survivors, and the public to raise awareness and galvanise support for preventative measures and improved support services. Her departure leaves a void in the frontbench advocacy landscape, prompting questions about who will step forward with the same level of visibility and tenacity.
A Persistent Crisis: The State of Violence Against Women and Girls
Farah Nazeer’s stark reminder that violence against women and girls remains an epidemic in the UK is supported by a wealth of disturbing data. The figure that at least one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner is a deeply entrenched and tragic statistic, representing just the most extreme manifestation of a widespread societal problem. Beyond fatalities, the prevalence of domestic abuse is staggering: statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) consistently show that an estimated 1.7 million women experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023. This equates to approximately one in four women experiencing some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime.
The scope of VAWG extends far beyond physical violence to encompass sexual violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control, and economic abuse. Sexual violence, in particular, remains grossly underreported and under-prosecuted, with charities like Rape Crisis estimating that only a fraction of sexual offences are reported to the police, and conviction rates remain lamentably low. The psychological toll on survivors is immense, leading to long-term trauma, mental health issues, and significant barriers to education, employment, and social integration. Children living in households where domestic abuse occurs are also profoundly affected, witnessing trauma that can have lifelong impacts on their development and well-being. The economic cost of VAWG is also substantial, estimated by the government to be in the tens of billions of pounds annually, factoring in healthcare, criminal justice, housing, and lost economic output. This data paints a grim picture of a crisis that permeates all levels of society, demanding a holistic and urgent response.
The Funding Gap and Strained Survivor Services
Central to Women’s Aid’s urgent appeal is the critical issue of chronically underfunded survivor services. Nazeer’s statement highlights the devastating reality that services are forced to turn away up to two-thirds of survivors every year – women and children desperately seeking support. This statistic, often echoed by other frontline organisations like Refuge and SafeLives, underscores a systemic failure to adequately fund and resource the essential services designed to protect and empower those escaping abuse.
The funding crisis is multifaceted. Specialist domestic abuse services, including refuges, helplines, outreach programmes, and therapeutic support, rely on a patchwork of funding from local authorities, central government grants, and charitable donations. Years of austerity measures have significantly eroded local authority budgets, leading to cuts in commissioning for vital services. This has resulted in a severe shortage of refuge spaces, particularly for women with complex needs, BAME women, and those with multiple children. When a survivor is turned away, it often means they are forced to return to an abusive environment, exacerbating their risk of harm, or become homeless. The lack of sustainable, long-term funding prevents organisations from planning effectively, retaining skilled staff, and expanding to meet ever-growing demand. This precarious funding landscape directly contradicts the government’s stated commitment to tackling VAWG and leaves countless survivors without the lifeline they desperately need.
Government Commitments and Current Strategy
The government has publicly committed to halving VAWG, a pledge articulated within the comprehensive Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (2021-2024). This strategy outlines a vision for a society free from VAWG and sets out ambitious goals across four pillars: preventing VAWG, supporting victims and survivors, pursuing perpetrators, and strengthening the system. Key commitments include improving police response, increasing convictions, enhancing victim support, and addressing the root causes of violence.
A significant legislative achievement under this commitment was the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This landmark legislation provided a statutory definition of domestic abuse, including economic abuse and coercive control, and established a new Domestic Abuse Commissioner to champion victims and survivors. It also introduced new protections, such as a duty on local authorities to provide safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse and their children. While the Act was widely welcomed, its effectiveness hinges on robust implementation and adequate funding for the duties it places on public bodies. Organisations like Women’s Aid have consistently called for the strategy’s ambitions to be matched with tangible resources and a clear timeline for achieving its targets, arguing that without sufficient investment, even the most well-intentioned policies will fall short.
Chronology of Key Moments in VAWG Advocacy and Policy
The fight against VAWG in the UK has a long history, punctuated by significant advocacy efforts and legislative milestones:
- 1970s: Emergence of the first women’s refuges in the UK, born from grassroots feminist movements, highlighting the desperate need for safe spaces.
- 1980s-1990s: Growing public awareness and increased lobbying for legal recognition and protection for victims of domestic violence.
- 2004: The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act is passed, a crucial piece of legislation that created specific domestic violence offences and enhanced victim protections.
- 2007: The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act comes into force, offering civil remedies for victims of forced marriage.
- 2010: The Equality Act is enacted, aiming to tackle discrimination and promote equality, indirectly supporting women’s safety.
- 2013: Coercive control is formally recognised as a form of domestic abuse, leading to its criminalisation in 2015 under the Serious Crime Act. This was a pivotal moment in understanding the psychological dimensions of abuse.
- 2015: Jess Phillips elected as MP for Birmingham Yardley, quickly establishing herself as a leading voice on VAWG.
- 2017: The UK signs the Istanbul Convention (Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence), though full ratification would be a protracted process.
- 2019: The Domestic Abuse Bill is introduced to Parliament, following years of campaigning by charities and activists. Jess Phillips plays a critical role in its parliamentary journey.
- 2021: The Domestic Abuse Act receives Royal Assent, becoming law. The government also publishes its comprehensive Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (2021-2024), outlining its commitment to halving VAWG.
- 2022: The UK finally ratifies the Istanbul Convention, after years of delay and persistent pressure from advocacy groups.
- January 2024: Jess Phillips resigns from her Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding role, prompting renewed calls for sustained political focus on VAWG.
Reactions and Calls for Sustained Action
The reaction to Jess Phillips’ departure from her frontbench role has been one of widespread appreciation for her contributions, coupled with a renewed sense of urgency among VAWG charities. Leaders across the sector have echoed Women’s Aid’s sentiments, acknowledging the loss of a powerful and consistent voice in Parliament while reiterating the critical need for continued political will. Organisations like Refuge, SafeLives, and Imkaan have stressed that the challenges facing survivors – from insufficient refuge spaces to lengthy court processes and inadequate support for specific communities – remain formidable.
There is a clear consensus that the government’s commitment to halve VAWG must translate into concrete, measurable actions and, crucially, significantly increased and sustainable funding for specialist services. Parliamentarians from various parties have also voiced their respect for Phillips’ work, with many acknowledging the cross-party consensus on the importance of tackling domestic abuse. The call to prevent VAWG from "slipping down the political agenda" is not merely rhetorical; it reflects a genuine fear that without prominent champions and dedicated resources, the momentum gained over recent years could be lost, with devastating consequences for women and children at risk.
The Road Ahead: Implications for Policy and Survivors
Jess Phillips’ resignation marks a critical juncture for VAWG advocacy. While her personal commitment to the cause is expected to continue, the absence of such a high-profile and tenacious advocate in a designated Shadow Cabinet role necessitates a collective redoubling of efforts. The implications are significant:
- Sustaining Political Pressure: There is an imperative for other parliamentarians to step into the breach, ensuring that VAWG remains a prominent issue in legislative debates, policy development, and government scrutiny. Cross-party collaboration, a hallmark of much VAWG policy, will be essential.
- Funding Imperative: The most immediate and pressing need remains the provision of secure, long-term, and adequate funding for specialist domestic abuse services. This includes ring-fenced funding for refuges, community-based support, and services tailored to the needs of diverse communities, including BAME women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.
- Robust Implementation of Legislation: The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, while a significant achievement, requires meticulous and properly resourced implementation across all local authorities and public services. This includes training for frontline professionals, effective data collection, and accountability mechanisms.
- Prevention and Education: Long-term success in halving VAWG relies heavily on effective prevention strategies. This involves comprehensive education in schools about healthy relationships, consent, and gender equality, as well as public awareness campaigns to challenge societal attitudes that perpetuate violence.
- Perpetrator Accountability: Alongside victim support, there is a critical need for robust strategies to hold perpetrators accountable, including effective policing, swift justice, and perpetrator programmes aimed at behaviour change.
- A Whole-System Approach: Ultimately, ending VAWG requires a truly whole-system approach, integrating efforts across criminal justice, health, education, housing, and social services. It cannot be treated as a standalone issue but rather as a pervasive societal problem requiring coordinated, sustained intervention.
The departure of a dedicated figure like Jess Phillips underscores the fragility of progress in complex social issues. Women’s Aid’s call for urgent action serves as a powerful reminder that the fight against violence against women and girls is far from over. It demands not just political rhetoric but tangible investment, unwavering commitment, and a collective societal resolve to ensure that every woman and child in the UK can live a life free from fear and abuse.
