For over five decades, Women’s Aid has unequivocally established that the overwhelming majority of violence against women and girls (VAWG) is perpetrated by men known to their female victims, predominantly within the context of domestic abuse. This foundational understanding, borne from extensive experience and direct engagement with survivors, underscores the critical distinction between the rare occurrence of random attacks and the pervasive reality of violence committed by partners, family members, or acquaintances. Abuse and violence are conscious choices, crimes for which there is no acceptable justification, regardless of the perpetrator’s identity. The profound and lasting harm inflicted by male violence remains constant, irrespective of who commits it. Any attempt to create a hierarchy of suffering or culpability, ranking one survivor’s experience as more valid or one perpetrator’s actions as more or less egregious based on their background, dangerously perpetuates misogyny and harmful racist myths surrounding VAWG, diverting focus from the systemic issues at play.
In recent years, a concerning trend has emerged where a growing chorus of voices has actively created or amplified misleading narratives regarding the demographics most likely to commit crimes against women, particularly sexual assault and rape. These narratives are often interwoven with a broader anti-immigration agenda, seeking to exploit public concern about VAWG for political leverage. Women’s Aid, with absolute clarity, states that it will not tolerate the instrumentalization of the movement against VAWG for political gain. Survivors of VAWG are real women enduring real, life-altering consequences from the violence they experience. They require tangible, evidence-based support to rebuild their lives, not to have their traumatic experiences distorted into a political narrative that, far from enhancing safety, is likely to render many women more vulnerable and less secure.
The Pervasive Reality of Domestic Abuse
The statistics consistently highlight that domestic abuse constitutes the most widespread form of violence against women. Globally, an estimated one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. In the UK, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) frequently reports that millions of women experience domestic abuse annually, with a significant proportion facing repeat victimisation. These figures underscore that the home, often perceived as a sanctuary, is frequently the most dangerous place for women. The perpetrators are not shadowy figures but often individuals with whom women share intimate relationships, families, or communities. This reality is critical for understanding VAWG; it means that prevention and intervention strategies must primarily focus on challenging patriarchal norms, fostering healthy relationships, and providing accessible support for those trapped in abusive cycles. The emphasis on "random attacks" by unknown individuals, while not entirely absent, significantly misrepresents the scope and nature of the problem, leading to misdirected public fear and policy responses.
Exploiting Fear: The Anti-Immigration Nexus
The past two years have witnessed a concerning escalation in rhetoric that attempts to link specific groups, particularly those from immigrant or minority backgrounds, to an elevated risk of VAWG offenses. This narrative, often propagated through online channels and sometimes echoed in public demonstrations, frequently employs questionable methodology and distorts existing evidence. For example, articles have circulated that over-estimate the likelihood of particular demographics committing VAWG, manipulating statistics or drawing conclusions from incomplete datasets. Women’s Aid stresses that such claims are not grounded in robust statistical reality. The inherent limitations in current data collection practices mean that a fully accurate statistical measure of domestic abuse victimisation and perpetration, broken down comprehensively by ethnicity and nationality, does not exist in any single, reliable dataset. The ONS itself acknowledges these limitations and the pressing need for improved monitoring to better tailor services and policies to the diverse groups requiring support.
The weaponization of VAWG within an anti-immigration framework is particularly insidious because it deflects attention from the systemic roots of violence against women, such as misogyny and gender inequality, and instead scapegoats entire communities. This not only fuels xenophobia and racism but also alienates survivors within those very communities, making them less likely to report abuse or seek help for fear of further discrimination or repercussions against their families. It creates a false dichotomy, suggesting that if "foreign" perpetrators were removed, women would be safe, thus ignoring the pervasive domestic threat and undermining the universality of misogynistic attitudes.
A Call for Robust Data and Evidence-Based Policy
The VAWG sector has long advocated for improved data collection precisely because of existing issues and limitations in how police forces and other agencies record crime and demographic information. Without comprehensive, disaggregated data, it is impossible to accurately identify trends, understand specific vulnerabilities, or evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for different population groups. While the ONS does not currently hold data breakdowns of crime by nationality or immigration status, its recognition of the need for better monitoring signifies an important step towards a more nuanced understanding. However, progress is slow, and in the interim, the vacuum of reliable data can be exploited by those with political agendas, leading to the circulation of misinformation that undermines genuine efforts to combat VAWG.
Accurate data would enable policymakers to develop targeted, culturally sensitive support services and prevention programs. It would ensure that resources are allocated where they are most needed and that no woman is left behind due to assumptions or biases based on ethnicity, nationality, or immigration status. The current lack of such data, therefore, not only hinders effective policy-making but also inadvertently allows misleading narratives to gain traction by presenting anecdotal evidence or selectively interpreted statistics as definitive proof.
The Enduring Scourge of Misogyny
Beyond the immediate dynamics of domestic abuse, the riots and protests observed in various contexts do nothing to address the fundamental causes underpinning violence against women and girls: deep-rooted misogyny and the insidious desire to control women. These attitudes are not confined to any single culture, ethnicity, or nationality; they are prevalent across all societal strata and cultural backgrounds. Tragically, there are concerning signs that these attitudes are intensifying, rather than abating, within the UK.
For instance, a recent survey involving 100 secondary school teachers revealed that a staggering 76% expressed extreme concern regarding the pervasive influence of online misogyny in their schools. Teachers reported frequently witnessing boys making misogynistic comments and exhibiting misogynistic behaviours, which profoundly and negatively impacts girls’ well-being and sense of safety within the school environment. This is not merely anecdotal; it points to a systemic issue where harmful gender norms are being reinforced and normalized among younger generations.
Further research by Women’s Aid, conducted as part of its "Come Together" campaign, illuminated a disturbing societal blind spot: 34% of UK adults believe domestic abuse is merely the result of "bad people," rather than a reflection of broader societal sexism that enables and perpetuates it. This perception is dangerous because it individualizes a systemic problem, absolving society of its collective responsibility to challenge and dismantle patriarchal structures. The "Influencers and Attitudes" report by Women’s Aid also highlighted the potent impact of online content, finding that children and young people exposed to misogynistic social media content, such as that propagated by figures like Andrew Tate, were almost five times more likely than their unexposed peers to view physically harming someone as acceptable, provided an apology was offered afterwards. This demonstrates a troubling normalization of violence and a disregard for its long-term consequences, directly linked to the pervasive spread of online misogyny.
Challenging Misinformation and Empowering Experts
The act of waving placards proclaiming "protect our women and children" outside asylum accommodation, or supporting such protests on social media, actively contributes to the dissemination of misinformation and the politicization of VAWG. These actions, while ostensibly framed as protective, ultimately serve to demonize specific groups and distract from the true nature and prevalence of violence against women. Those who genuinely care about eradicating VAWG must understand the real extent of the problem and the necessary solutions. This understanding can only be achieved by actively listening to the experts – including Women’s Aid and its network of member services – who possess decades of experience and evidence-based insights into what truly works to keep people safe.
Preventative work, initiated before biases are formed and allowed to circulate, could dramatically alter the landscape of VAWG. Such efforts would entail comprehensive education on healthy relationships, consent, and gender equality from an early age, challenging misogynistic attitudes before they become entrenched. This proactive approach would also lead to better and more equitable protections for women from minoritised backgrounds, who are often disproportionately affected by both violence and the prejudicial narratives that hinder access to support. The real-life impact of failing to carefully consider risk and vulnerability, and of allowing misinformation to flourish, is that women are turned away from essential services, remaining trapped in abusive situations. Society must unequivocally recognize domestic abuse as the grave form of VAWG that it is – crimes that are unfortunately not unique to the UK or any specific group of people. These crimes do not "just happen here" because of particular demographics; they are a pervasive societal issue rooted in gender inequality.
The Path Forward: Support, Funding, and Unity
VAWG must never be weaponized for political agendas. Women do not need to be told whom to fear or which men to avoid when they are acutely aware that danger can reside within their own homes, perpetrated by those they know and trust. What survivors desperately need is comprehensive support – support that is deeply rooted in evidence, informed by a profound understanding of the insidious nature of VAWG, and designed to empower them to take concrete steps towards safety and recovery. This necessitates a well-funded, specialist domestic abuse sector. Only through robust financial backing can these vital services continue to provide the life-saving support that survivors require, while simultaneously challenging and dismantling the harmful narratives that undermine progress.
Women’s Aid and its sister organizations across the specialist sector remain steadfast in their commitment to supporting survivors, a mission they have pursued for over half a century. If politicians genuinely wish to contribute to this critical cause, the path forward is straightforward: join the experts, listen to their voices, and heed their recommendations. It is only by coming together, in a unified and evidence-based approach, that society can hope to end this epidemic of violence against women and girls once and for all. This requires moving beyond divisive rhetoric and focusing on collective action to dismantle misogyny, provide unwavering support for survivors, and ensure justice for all.
