For over five decades, Women’s Aid has stood at the forefront of efforts to eradicate violence against women and girls (VAWG), accumulating profound insights that confirm, with absolute certainty, that the overwhelming majority of such violence is perpetrated by men known to their female victims. While random acts of violence undeniably occur, the predominant context for these crimes falls under domestic abuse, occurring between individuals with existing relationships. This fundamental understanding is critical as the organisation observes a disturbing trend: the increasing politicisation of VAWG, particularly through narratives that link these crimes to specific demographic groups as part of a broader anti-immigration agenda. Women’s Aid unequivocally rejects the exploitation of survivors’ experiences for political gain, advocating instead for evidence-based solutions rooted in addressing the deep-seated misogyny and insidious desire for control that are the true drivers of VAWG across all cultures.
The Enduring Reality of Domestic Abuse
The lived experience of Women’s Aid, spanning more than 50 years, consistently demonstrates that domestic abuse represents the most prevalent form of VAWG. This abuse, encompassing physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and coercive control, is a deliberate choice made by perpetrators, for which there is no justification. The profound and lasting harm inflicted upon survivors remains constant, irrespective of the perpetrator’s background. Attempts to create a hierarchy of harm – suggesting one survivor’s experience is more devastating than another’s based on the perpetrator’s identity – not only trivialises suffering but actively deepens the dangers of misogyny and perpetuates racist myths surrounding VAWG. Statistical evidence from various sources consistently supports the charity’s stance. For instance, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that in the year ending March 2023, an estimated 2.1 million adults aged 16 to 74 experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales, with women disproportionately affected. The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) further indicates that women are significantly more likely than men to be victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking. These figures underscore the pervasive nature of domestic abuse within society and its primary impact on women.
The Rise of Politicised Narratives and Misinformation
In recent years, particularly over the last two, Women’s Aid has observed a worrying proliferation of voices creating or perpetuating misleading narratives about the types of men most likely to commit crimes against women, specifically sexual assault and rape. These narratives are often interwoven with a wider anti-immigration stance, attempting to connect VAWG to specific migrant or minority communities. This trend has manifested in various forms, from social media campaigns to public protests, notably outside asylum accommodation centres, where demonstrators have been seen waving placards proclaiming a desire to "protect our women and children."
Women’s Aid asserts with utmost clarity that it will not tolerate the VAWG movement being co-opted for political leverage. Survivors of VAWG are real women whose lives are irrevocably altered by the violence they endure. They require tangible, effective support to rebuild their lives, not to have their traumatic experiences distorted into political narratives that, far from enhancing safety, are likely to render many women less safe. Such narratives distract from the true systemic issues, foster division, and erode trust in support systems. The danger lies in diverting resources and attention away from comprehensive, evidence-based interventions towards divisive rhetoric that scapegoats particular groups. This approach not only fails to protect women but also risks alienating communities that may themselves be experiencing domestic abuse or other forms of VAWG, creating barriers to seeking help.
The Critical Gaps in Data Collection
A significant challenge in countering these misleading narratives lies in the limitations of existing data collection. Articles circulating that purportedly over-estimate the likelihood of specific groups committing VAWG offences often rely on questionable methodologies that distort evidence. Crucially, these claims are not grounded in robust statistics. It is currently impossible to provide a fully accurate statistical measure of domestic abuse victimisation and perpetration broken down comprehensively by ethnicity and nationality, primarily because no single, integrated dataset exists.
The VAWG sector has repeatedly called for improved data collection precisely because of existing issues and limitations in how police record crime and demographic information. The ONS, while responsible for national crime statistics, does not currently maintain data breakdowns of crime by nationality or immigration status. However, it has acknowledged the critical need for better monitoring to more effectively tailor services and policies to the diverse groups that require assistance. Without this granular data, efforts to understand and address VAWG are hampered, and the vacuum can be exploited by those seeking to push politically motivated agendas. Reliable, disaggregated data is essential not only for identifying specific vulnerabilities and tailoring support but also for definitively refuting misleading claims and ensuring that policy is guided by fact, not prejudice.
The Unifying Causes: Misogyny and the Desire for Control
The politicised narratives, often focusing on external threats, fundamentally fail to address the true causes that underpin violence against women and girls: deep-rooted misogyny and the insidious desire to control women. These are phenomena prevalent across all cultures, socio-economic strata, and communities, transcending national or ethnic boundaries. Misogyny, understood as the hatred, prejudice, or contempt for women, manifests in myriad ways, from subtle discrimination to overt violence, and is intrinsically linked to patriarchal power structures that seek to subordinate women.
Disturbingly, there are clear signs that these attitudes are not abating but are actively growing in the UK. For example, a recent survey involving 100 secondary school teachers revealed that 76% expressed extreme concern about the influence of online misogyny in their schools. Teachers reported that boys frequently make misogynistic comments and exhibit misogynistic behaviours, negatively impacting girls’ well-being and creating an environment where harmful attitudes are normalised. This digital landscape has become a fertile ground for the spread of extreme views. The Women’s Aid Influencers and Attitudes report further highlighted this, finding that children and young people exposed to misogynistic social media content, such as that promoted by figures like Andrew Tate, were almost five times more likely than those not exposed to view physical violence as acceptable if followed by an apology. This normalisation of violence and control is a critical concern, indicating a generational challenge that demands urgent intervention.
Moreover, Women’s Aid research as part of its "Come Together" campaign found that 34% of UK adults believe domestic abuse is simply the result of "bad people" rather than a reflection of systemic sexism in wider society that enables it. This perception is highly problematic, as it individualises a societal issue, absolving broader structural inequalities and cultural norms of responsibility. When domestic abuse is viewed as an anomaly rather than a symptom of deeply ingrained misogyny, effective prevention strategies become harder to implement and gain public support. It reinforces the idea that VAWG is an isolated problem, rather than a pervasive issue demanding collective societal change.
The Call for Evidence-Based Solutions and Systemic Change
Those who genuinely care about ending VAWG must understand the true extent of the problem and the comprehensive solutions required. This necessitates listening to experts, including Women’s Aid and its member services, about what genuinely works to keep people safe. Protests outside asylum accommodation, or social media support for such actions, contribute to spreading misinformation and diverting attention from the core issues.
Effective prevention work, initiated before biases are formed and allowed to circulate, could dramatically alter the landscape of VAWG. This means fostering environments that provide better and more equal protections for women from all backgrounds, including those from minoritised communities who often face compounded vulnerabilities. The real-life impact of not carefully considering risk and vulnerability is that women are turned away from support services and remain trapped in abusive situations. Society must treat domestic abuse with the gravity it deserves – as a serious form of VAWG – and recognise that these crimes are not unique to the UK, nor are they attributable to specific groups of people.
VAWG should never be weaponised. Women do not need to be instructed on what to fear or advised to avoid certain men when the greatest danger often resides within their own homes, perpetrated by someone they know. What survivors desperately need is support rooted in evidence, informed by a profound understanding of the insidious nature of VAWG, and designed to facilitate tangible steps towards safety and recovery. This requires a robustly funded specialist domestic abuse sector, equipped to provide comprehensive services ranging from emergency accommodation and helplines to counselling, legal aid, and long-term recovery programmes. Only through adequate investment can survivors receive the vital support they need, and harmful narratives be effectively challenged.
Broader Impact and the Path Forward
The politicisation of VAWG has far-reaching implications. It not only undermines the credibility of genuine advocacy efforts but also fosters a climate of fear and division, making it harder for all women, especially those from vulnerable or minoritised groups, to access justice and support. It diverts crucial public discourse from systemic issues like gender inequality, inadequate judicial responses, and insufficient funding for support services. When public attention is misdirected towards scapegoating, the impetus for meaningful policy reform and societal change is lost.
Women’s Aid, alongside its sister organisations across the VAWG sector, remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting survivors, as it has for over half a century. The path to ending this epidemic of violence is clear and requires collective action. If political leaders are genuinely committed to this cause, the answer is straightforward: they must join the sector, listen to its expertise, and support its evidence-based recommendations. It is only by coming together, rejecting divisive rhetoric, and focusing on the true causes and effective solutions that society can hope to eradicate VAWG once and for all, ensuring that all women can live free from fear and violence. This means sustained funding for specialist services, comprehensive education to challenge misogyny from a young age, robust data collection to inform policy, and a unified commitment from government, civil society, and communities to dismantle the patriarchal structures that enable abuse.
