UK Government publishes major Violence Against Women and Girls strategy

The Government  launched its long-anticipated Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a Cross-Government Strategy aimed at tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) and halving such crimes over the next decade. The strategy, described by ministers as a national emergency response ,sets out a comprehensive, whole-of-government plan to prevent violence, pursue perpetrators and improve victim support across England and Wales.

The strategy marks a significant shift in how VAWG is addressed, with coordinated action across policing, education, justice, health and community services. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips told MPs that the strategy will use “the full power of the state” to challenge longstanding patterns of abuse and make society safer for women and girls.

Officials say the strategy’s vision is grounded in survivor experience and cross-government collaboration, with specific action plans for prevention, early intervention, policing reform, and tailored support for victims and survivors. It also highlights online and technology-facilitated abuse as a key area for action, including plans to legislate against AI-assisted offences and improve digital protections for children and vulnerable users.

The strategy builds on pledges made earlier in 2025 to halve incidents of violence against women and girls within ten years, covering domestic abuse, stalking, sexual violence, and other forms of abuse under a unified policy framework. Government figures estimate that last year one in eight women experienced domestic abuse, stalking or sexual assault, with around 200 rapes reported to police every day, though many incidents go unreported.

Among the key measures are:

• Specialist police teams and reform of investigative standards to improve criminal justice responses.
• Strengthened education initiatives in schools on healthy relationships, consent and early signs of abusive behaviour.
• Enhanced victim support pathways across health and statutory services.

The strategy has been widely welcomed by advocacy groups as a necessary step toward systemic change, though some have called for clearer funding commitments and robust implementation plans to ensure frontline services are sufficiently resourced.

The publication of the VAWG strategy represents one of the most ambitious efforts to confront gender-based violence, emphasising prevention, protection, and justice for victims and survivors.