The resignation of Jess Phillips, the long-serving Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley and a relentless advocate for women’s rights, has triggered a wave of appreciation from leading anti-violence organisations, coupled with an urgent reminder of the systemic failures plaguing the fight against violence against women and girls (VAWG). Farah Nazeer, CEO of Women’s Aid, commented on the news, extending profound gratitude for Phillips’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding women and children. Nazeer underscored Phillips’ crucial role in amplifying the voices and needs of survivors for years, expressing confidence that her dedication to this vital cause would continue irrespective of her future endeavours. However, this acknowledgment of a significant departure from parliamentary advocacy was immediately juxtaposed with a stark assessment of the current crisis: VAWG persists as an epidemic in the UK, with specialist survivor services chronically underfunded, forcing them to deny support to a staggering two-thirds of women and children desperately seeking help annually. This grim reality has prompted Women’s Aid to echo Phillips’ consistent calls for more urgent government action, warning that too many lives remain at risk for the issue to recede from the political agenda.
A Decade of Advocacy: Jess Phillips’ Impact on VAWG Legislation and Awareness
Jess Phillips’ parliamentary career, spanning from her election in 2015, has been indelibly marked by her fierce and often unvarnished advocacy for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. As a former manager of a women’s refuge, Phillips brought invaluable lived experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by survivors and the services that support them to the heart of Westminster. Her tenure has been characterised by a consistent and vocal presence in debates surrounding VAWG, often challenging successive governments on their commitments and the efficacy of their strategies.
One of Phillips’ most poignant and widely recognised acts of parliamentary activism began in 2016, where, on International Women’s Day, she started a tradition of reading aloud the names of women killed by domestic violence in the UK over the preceding year. This solemn, annual ritual served as a powerful, visceral reminder of the human cost of VAWG, transforming abstract statistics into individual tragedies for her parliamentary colleagues and the public. This act, often delivered with raw emotion, cut through the political rhetoric, forcing a moment of reflection on the devastating impact of gender-based violence.
Beyond symbolic gestures, Phillips was a key figure in scrutinising and shaping crucial legislation, notably the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. She consistently pushed for stronger protections, better funding for specialist services, and a more comprehensive, survivor-centric approach to tackling domestic abuse. Her interventions often focused on the practical implications of policy for those on the front lines – both survivors and support workers – ensuring that legislative debates were grounded in the realities of experience. Her resignation from her frontbench role, as Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, marks the end of a dedicated parliamentary chapter for an individual who became synonymous with the fight against VAWG, leaving a void that many in the sector hope will be filled by equally passionate and effective advocates.
The Persistent Crisis: Unpacking the Statistics of VAWG in the UK
The stark assertion by Women’s Aid CEO Farah Nazeer that violence against women and girls remains an epidemic in the UK is tragically substantiated by a wealth of data from various governmental and non-governmental organisations. The grim statistic of "at least one woman a week killed by a current or former partner" is not a hyperbolic statement but a chilling reality. The Femicide Census, a comprehensive record of women killed by men in the UK, consistently reports figures that align with or exceed this weekly average. For instance, in the year ending March 2020, 118 women were killed by men in England and Wales, with 75 of these deaths resulting from domestic abuse. The overall trend shows little significant decline, underscoring the entrenched nature of the problem.
Beyond fatalities, the prevalence of domestic abuse and other forms of VAWG is staggering. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), an estimated 2.3 million adults aged 16 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023, with women disproportionately affected (1.5 million women compared to 800,000 men). This figure encompasses a wide range of abuses, including physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault, and coercive control. The ONS also reported that an estimated 890,000 adults experienced sexual assault, including attempted sexual assault, in the same period, with women comprising a significant majority of victims.
The impact of this pervasive violence extends far beyond the immediate trauma, creating a ripple effect across society. Children are often hidden victims, witnessing or experiencing abuse themselves. Studies show that growing up in a household with domestic violence can have severe, long-term psychological and developmental consequences for children, perpetuating cycles of abuse and trauma.
The crisis is exacerbated by the chronic underfunding of specialist survivor services. Women’s Aid’s claim that up to two-thirds of survivors are turned away annually due to lack of capacity is a critical indicator of the system’s failure. Research from organisations like SafeLives and Women’s Aid consistently highlights the disparity between demand and provision. For example, in 2021, Women’s Aid reported that 62% of referrals to refuges were declined due to lack of space, illustrating a critical shortfall in safe accommodation. Similarly, many community-based services, which offer vital emotional support, advocacy, and practical assistance, operate on shoestring budgets, often relying on precarious short-term grants. This creates a postcode lottery for survivors, where access to life-saving support depends heavily on geographical location and the whims of local commissioning.
The economic cost of VAWG is also immense, though often underestimated. A 2019 study by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) estimated the total cost of domestic abuse in England and Wales to be £66 billion over a single year, encompassing costs to victims (physical and emotional suffering, loss of earnings), public services (NHS, police, justice system, social services), and the wider economy (lost productivity). Adequate investment in prevention and support services is not merely a moral imperative but also a sound economic one, as it reduces long-term costs across multiple sectors.
Government Pledges and the Call for Accountability
Against this backdrop of persistent violence and service deficits, the UK government has repeatedly articulated its commitment to tackling VAWG. A cornerstone of this commitment is the ambition, reiterated in various policy documents, to halve incidents of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, hailed as a landmark piece of legislation, introduced a statutory definition of domestic abuse, established a Domestic Abuse Commissioner, and placed a duty on local authorities to provide safe accommodation for victims. This Act was a significant step forward, providing a more robust legal framework for addressing domestic violence.
Furthermore, the government’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, updated in 2021, outlines a comprehensive plan focusing on four pillars: preventing VAWG, supporting victims and survivors, pursuing perpetrators, and strengthening the system. The strategy includes commitments to improve police response, enhance prosecution rates, and increase awareness campaigns. However, while the legislative and strategic frameworks are in place, the implementation and, crucially, the funding to match these ambitions have been a consistent point of contention for survivor organisations.
Women’s Aid, alongside other charities like Refuge and SafeLives, has consistently highlighted the gap between political rhetoric and tangible action, particularly concerning sustainable funding for specialist services. While the government has announced funding packages for VAWG services, these are often perceived as insufficient, short-term, and not ring-fenced, leading to instability and a lack of long-term planning for service providers. For example, while the Domestic Abuse Act mandates local authorities to provide accommodation, the funding allocated has often been criticised as inadequate to meet the soaring demand, especially in the context of rising living costs and a housing crisis.
The call from Women’s Aid for "more urgent action" therefore resonates deeply within the sector. It signifies a demand for not just policies and strategies on paper, but for robust, long-term financial commitments that ensure every survivor who seeks help can receive it. It also points to the need for a whole-system approach that tackles root causes, improves prevention efforts, ensures effective prosecution of perpetrators, and provides comprehensive support pathways, rather than fragmented or reactive interventions.
Voices from the Sector: A United Front for Survivor Support
Farah Nazeer’s statement for Women’s Aid encapsulates a broader sentiment within the VAWG sector following Jess Phillips’ resignation. The departure of such a prominent and knowledgeable voice from Parliament is undoubtedly felt, but it also galvanises the collective resolve of charities, advocates, and survivor groups to intensify their own efforts. The sector largely operates as a united front, sharing concerns about funding, policy implementation, and the need for sustained political will.
Organisations like Refuge, which provides emergency accommodation and support, would likely echo Women’s Aid’s gratitude for Phillips’ work and their concerns about the ongoing crisis. Lisa King, Director of Communications and External Relations at Refuge, has frequently highlighted the constant pressure on their services and the increasing demand. Their data often corroborates the "two-thirds turned away" statistic, revealing the harsh reality faced by women fleeing abuse. Similarly, organisations focused on prevention, such as the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), would likely reiterate the importance of a comprehensive approach that addresses societal attitudes and norms contributing to gender-based violence, alongside robust support services.
There is a consensus among these groups that the fight against VAWG transcends party politics. While they engage with government and opposition figures, their core mission remains focused on the safety and rights of women and girls, irrespective of who holds power. Phillips’ consistent efforts to cross political divides on this issue, often collaborating with colleagues from different parties, exemplified this spirit. Her legacy in Parliament will likely be a benchmark against which future legislative and advocacy efforts are measured by the sector. The collective voice of these organisations will continue to be critical in holding the government accountable for its pledges and ensuring that the issue of VAWG does not "slip down the political agenda."
The Road Ahead: Sustaining Momentum in the Fight Against VAWG
The resignation of a significant parliamentary advocate like Jess Phillips, while marking the end of a chapter, must not signal a reduction in the national focus on violence against women and girls. Instead, it serves as a potent reminder of the enduring nature of the crisis and the imperative for sustained, multi-faceted action. The road ahead demands not only the continued vigilance and advocacy of specialist organisations but also a renewed commitment from all levels of government and society at large.
The immediate implication of Phillips’ departure is the potential need for new parliamentary champions to emerge and carry forward the torch of advocacy with similar passion and expertise. While the legislative framework for tackling domestic abuse has been strengthened, the effectiveness of these laws hinges on adequate resourcing and consistent implementation. This requires ongoing parliamentary scrutiny, robust debate, and cross-party consensus on the strategic importance of eradicating VAWG.
Beyond Westminster, the focus must remain on the frontline services that provide a lifeline to survivors. Ensuring sustainable, long-term funding for refuges, helplines, independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs), and community-based support services is paramount. This funding must be ring-fenced, allowing providers to plan beyond short funding cycles and invest in staff development, innovative practices, and capacity building.
Furthermore, a truly effective strategy against VAWG must integrate prevention efforts from an early age. Education in schools on healthy relationships, consent, and challenging harmful gender stereotypes is crucial in fostering a culture of respect and equality. Public awareness campaigns also play a vital role in shifting societal attitudes, encouraging reporting, and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.
The call from Women’s Aid is clear: the epidemic of violence against women and girls demands urgent and unwavering attention. The statistics are not mere numbers; they represent lives shattered, futures derailed, and an immense societal burden. The legacy of advocates like Jess Phillips, combined with the tireless work of the VAWG sector, provides a powerful foundation. However, true progress will only be achieved when political will consistently translates into sufficient resources, effective policies, and a collective determination to ensure that every woman and child in the UK can live free from fear and violence. The lives at risk are too many, and the cost of inaction too great, for this critical issue to ever be deprioritised.
