Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

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Recommendations:
• It is crucial that there is a minimum standards framework based on equality and
human rights principles for all organisations working on VAWG and mandatory
training for all teachers, social workers, police officers, health workers and other
professionals distributed evenly throughout the country
• The voluntary VAWG sector should be commissioned to deliver quality training
on VAWG to a range of agencies as part of vocational qualifications and ongoing
professional development and to increase the consistency in the implementation
of existing good policy
Sector-specific policies on VAWG
It is disappointing that tackling abuse of women and girls is still not reflected properly in key
Westminster Government policies. There is concern that the new ‘troubled families’ agenda
fails to acknowledge and tackle VAWG and the impact of this on other issues within families. 40
The consultation and debate around porn filters 41 also does not reflect issues around VAWG,
and key reports 42 on abuse have been undermined by parts of government.
Domestic violence (DV)
From March 2013 the cross-Government definition of DV has been extended. The two most
significant aspects of the change are that:
• new wording is to be used to capture the coercive control that is exercised by perpetrators;
• young people aged 16 and 17 years old will now be included within the definition.
Whilst the definition is not legally binding, it informs the work of all Government departments
as well as statutory agencies like the police and Local Authorities. In the context of immigration
law, the development of the definition may assist victims of DV who are applying under the
Domestic Violence Rule 43 for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) who face challenges securing the
evidence needed to support an application. (See Article 9 and Appendix: 8) The reference
to isolation and the regulation of behaviour can be relied on to support applicants who
were prevented from accessing services or other sources of support, while the reference
to exploitation may benefit those who have criminal convictions as a result of the violence
they have experienced. We hope that all documents will be updated with the new definition,
for example the guidance for UKBA caseworkers (dated 25th January 2013), 44 so that
representatives and advocates can familiarise themselves with the new definition and refer to it
where necessary.
40. End Violence Against Women Coalition (2012) ‘’Troubled families’ report a missed opportunity’, EVAW website, 18th July 2012 http://www.
endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/45/troubled-families-report-a-missed-opportunity
41. Cordon, G. (2012) ‘Ministers reject automatic web porn filter’, The Independent, 15th December 2012 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/
uk/politics/ministers-reject-automatic-web-porn-filter-8420066.html
42. Children’s Commissioner (2012) The Office of the Children’s Commissioner’s Inquiry into Child Exploitation in Gangs and Groups. Interim
Report, November 2012 http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_636
43. See para 298 of the Immigration Rules - UK Border Agency (2013) Victims of domestic violence http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/modernised/family/section4.pdf?view=Binary
44. UK Border Agency (2013) Victims of domestic violence http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/
modernised/family/section4.pdf?view=Binary
176 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013