For over five decades, Women’s Aid has stood as a steadfast pillar in the fight against violence targeting women and girls (VAWG), accumulating a profound body of knowledge that unequivocally identifies men known to their female victims as the perpetrators in the vast majority of cases. While random acts of violence undeniably occur, the overwhelming prevalence of abuse manifests within the context of existing relationships, firmly placing it within the domain of domestic abuse. This foundational understanding, forged over half a century of frontline support and advocacy, informs the organisation’s urgent call against the dangerous politicisation of VAWG, particularly in the face of misleading narratives linking it to anti-immigration agendas.
The Enduring Reality of Domestic Abuse
Women’s Aid’s extensive experience, spanning more than 50 years, consistently demonstrates that the most significant threat to women and girls comes from individuals they know. This pattern is not an anomaly but a deeply entrenched societal issue. Statistics from various national bodies, including the Office for National Statistics (ONS), consistently highlight domestic abuse as a pervasive crime. For instance, ONS data frequently indicates that a substantial proportion of violent crimes experienced by women are perpetrated by partners or ex-partners. While precise figures can fluctuate, reports often suggest that approximately one in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, with two women a week tragically dying at the hands of a current or former partner. These figures underscore that the home, often perceived as a sanctuary, can be the most dangerous place for many women, a stark reality often obscured by sensationalised accounts of stranger danger.
Abuse and violence are not accidental occurrences but deliberate choices made by perpetrators. There is no justifiable excuse for these crimes, regardless of the identity of the person committing them. The profound and lasting harm inflicted by male violence remains constant, irrespective of the perpetrator’s background. Attempts to create a hierarchy of suffering—ranking one survivor’s experience as more harmful than another’s, or one perpetrator as more reprehensible than another—only serves to exacerbate the insidious dangers of misogyny and perpetuate harmful racist myths surrounding VAWG. Such distinctions distract from the universal nature of abuse and the collective responsibility to address its root causes.
The Rise of Misleading Narratives and Political Exploitation
In recent years, particularly over the last two, there has been a noticeable and concerning surge in voices creating or propagating deceptive narratives about the demographic profiles of men most likely to commit crimes against women, especially sexual assault and rape. These narratives are often strategically interwoven with broader anti-immigration stances, aiming to scapegoat specific groups for complex societal problems. This trend has manifested in various forms, from social media campaigns to public protests, all designed to sow division and fear.
Women’s Aid unequivocally asserts that it will not tolerate the co-option of the movement against VAWG for political gain. The survivors of VAWG are real women whose lives are irrevocably altered by the violence they endure. Their experiences are not abstract concepts to be manipulated for political leverage; they represent profound trauma and long-lasting consequences. These women require tangible, evidence-based support to rebuild their lives and achieve safety, not to have their suffering twisted into a political narrative that, far from protecting them, is likely to diminish their safety and well-being. The organisation views such exploitation as a profound betrayal of survivors and a dangerous diversion from the critical work needed to end VAWG.
The Absence of Granular Data and Calls for Improvement
The misleading articles and public discourse often rely on questionable methodologies that distort existing evidence to inflate the likelihood of specific groups committing VAWG offences. These claims are not grounded in accurate, comprehensive statistics. A critical impediment to refuting these narratives with precise data is the current absence of a fully accurate statistical measure of domestic abuse victimisation and perpetration broken down by ethnicity and nationality across a single, comprehensive dataset.
The VAWG sector has, for many years, issued countless calls for improved data collection. This need arises from significant issues and limitations in how police forces record crime and demographic information. The Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK’s primary source of independent statistics, currently does not hold detailed breakdowns of crime by nationality or immigration status. While the ONS has acknowledged the need for better monitoring to more effectively tailor services and policies to specific groups, the current data limitations make it challenging to provide definitive statistical rebuttals to ethnically or nationally targeted misinformation. This data gap, while not an excuse for prejudice, highlights a systemic issue that impacts the ability of organisations to understand and address specific vulnerabilities and patterns of abuse effectively. Without robust data, interventions cannot be precisely targeted, and the impact of policy cannot be fully assessed, potentially leaving certain communities underserved or misunderstood.
Unpacking the True Causes: Misogyny and Control
The recent focus on anti-immigration rhetoric and protests, such as those outside asylum accommodation, do nothing to address the fundamental causes underpinning violence against women and girls. These true causes are deeply rooted misogyny and an insidious desire to control women – pervasive attitudes that transcend cultural, national, and socio-economic boundaries. While cultural contexts can shape the form of abuse, the underlying drivers remain remarkably consistent globally.
Sadly, there are concerning indications that these harmful attitudes are not abating but rather gaining traction within the UK. A recent survey involving 100 secondary school teachers revealed that a staggering 76% expressed extreme concern regarding the influence of online misogyny within their schools. Teachers reported observing boys frequently making misogynistic comments and exhibiting misogynistic behaviours, which profoundly and negatively impacts the well-being of girls in the school environment. This pervasive exposure to harmful online content, often amplified by influencers promoting regressive views on gender roles, normalises disrespect and hostility towards women from a young age.
Further research by Women’s Aid, conducted as part of its "Come Together" campaign, illuminated a critical societal misunderstanding of domestic abuse. The study found that 34% of UK adults incorrectly believe domestic abuse is solely the result of "bad people," rather than acknowledging it as a reflection of deeply ingrained sexism and gender inequality in wider society that enables and perpetuates such violence. This perception, which individualises the problem, hinders collective action and policy development aimed at systemic change. The organisation’s "Influencers and Attitudes" report further highlighted the alarming impact of misogynistic social media content, exemplified by figures like Andrew Tate. Children and young people exposed to such content were found to be almost five times more likely than their unexposed peers to view physical harm as acceptable if an apology followed. This normalisation of violence, coupled with a superficial understanding of accountability, is a dangerous pathway for future generations.
The Harmful Impact of Misinformation on Survivors and Services
When individuals wave placards proclaiming "protect our women and children" outside asylum accommodation, or actively support such protesters on social media, they are actively contributing to the spread of misinformation. Such actions divert attention from the real dangers women face and create an atmosphere of fear and prejudice. Those who genuinely care about eradicating VAWG must turn their attention to understanding the true scope of the problem and the evidence-based solutions required. This necessitates listening to the experts – including Women’s Aid and its network of member services – who possess decades of experience in what truly works to keep people safe and support survivors.
Effective prevention work must begin before biases are formed and allowed to circulate unchecked. Implementing comprehensive, age-appropriate education from an early age can significantly alter the landscape, fostering respect and equality. Such proactive measures could lead to more robust and equitable protections for women from all backgrounds, including those from minoritised communities who are often disproportionately affected by both abuse and systemic discrimination. The real-life consequences of failing to carefully consider risk and vulnerability, and of allowing misinformation to dictate policy, are dire: women are turned away from vital support, remaining trapped in abusive situations. Society must unequivocally recognise domestic abuse as a grave form of VAWG – a crime that is universal and not exclusive to any particular group or nation. These crimes do not "just happen here" because of "some groups of people"; they are a global issue rooted in gender inequality.
A Call for Evidence-Based Support and Unified Action
The fight against VAWG must not be weaponised for political expediency. Women do not need to be told whom to fear or to avoid certain men, especially when they are acutely aware that danger can reside within their own homes. What survivors desperately need is comprehensive, evidence-based support that is rooted in a profound understanding of the insidious nature of VAWG. This support must empower them to take concrete steps towards safety and recovery. Crucially, the specialist domestic abuse sector requires substantial and sustained funding. Only with adequate resources can frontline services continue to provide the life-saving support survivors need and actively challenge the harmful narratives that undermine progress.
Women’s Aid, alongside its sister organisations across the VAWG sector, remains unwavering in its commitment to supporting survivors, a mission it has upheld for over half a century. The message to politicians is clear and simple: if they genuinely wish to contribute to this vital cause, they must join forces with the sector, listen to its expertise, and act on evidence. It is only through genuine collaboration, unified purpose, and a steadfast commitment to addressing the true causes of VAWG that this epidemic of violence can finally be brought to an end. The stakes are too high, and the suffering too profound, to allow political opportunism to derail the essential work of protecting women and girls.
