In what is being hailed as a landmark move, the government has announced a major expansion of NHS support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. This forms a central pillar of what ministers are calling the most significant crackdown on violence against women and girls in British history.
A National Emergency and a New Strategy
Health Secretary Wes Streeting unveiled a series of initiatives ahead of the long-awaited Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, which is expected to be published in full this week. The government has declared this issue a national emergency and vowed to deploy the full power of the state to tackle it.
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips stated the government's ambitious goal: "We will halve it in a decade." She emphasised that for too long, these crimes have been accepted as a fact of life, a situation the new administration deems unacceptable.
Ending the Postcode Lottery of Care
A cornerstone of the plan is the commitment to end the postcode lottery of support for victims. Mr Streeting promised that by 2029, a dedicated referral service for women and girls affected by violence will be operational in every area of England.
Furthermore, the government will invest up to £50 million into specialist services specifically for child victims of sexual abuse. This funding aims to ensure that young survivors receive coordinated, trauma-informed care without having to repeatedly recount their ordeal to multiple agencies.
Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, welcomed the announcement, calling it a "momentous day for child victims and survivors of sexual abuse." He noted that while specialist support can be life-changing, many children are currently unable to access it in their communities.
Practical NHS Reforms and Specialist 'Child Houses'
The NHS, often the first point of contact for victims, will see significant changes. Staff at GP surgeries will receive enhanced training to better identify the signs of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The plan also includes the national rollout of Child House projects. These centres bring together agencies like the police and health services under one roof to provide wraparound, trauma-informed care. Currently, only one such facility exists, serving north London.
Gabrielle Shaw, chief executive of NAPAC (the National Association for People Abused in Childhood), said the package "reflects what survivors have long called for - access and care that doesn’t depend on your postcode."
Mr Streeting concluded: "Victims and survivors of abuse need more than promises – they need change. These changes will put victims first, making sure they have specialist care and reliable support when they need it most." The coming week's full strategy publication is expected to provide further detail on this historic government pledge.
