Veronica Oakeshott, Head of External Affairs at Women’s Aid, comments:  

“Women’s Aid welcomes the Victim’s and Courts Bill receiving Royal Assent. This legislation makes some important changes that survivors of domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) have long called for.   

“We know from our work with survivors that many women and children have been let down by the complex criminal justice system which, for too long, has failed to recognise and prioritise their needs. This is especially the case for marginalised survivors, who face significant barriers to seeking justice and further prejudice in the systems intended to bring them justice. The failures have been so extensive and the lack of understanding of the complexities are so profound, that less than 1 in 5 women feel able to report their experiences to the police.  

“The government has committed to halving violence against women and girls in the next decade and this Bill is promising significant improvements. We are pleased to see that victims and bereaved families will now have longer to challenge unduly lenient sentences, giving grieving families the opportunity to make decisions without undue pressure. We are also pleased to see that non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) will no longer be exploited to cover up criminal conduct.  

“We also welcome new limitations to parental responsibility for perpetrators, though this needs to go further. Parents who perpetrate violence against women and children pose a clear and significant risk of harm to their children in multiple forms. It is a narrow and insufficient approach to treat child sexual offences as the only threshold for restricting parental responsibility. We are looking forward to new laws committed to by the Government in October that remove the presumption of support for parental contact where there is domestic abuse and the child does not want to see a parent, or it is unsafe for them to do so. We know from our years of research on child homicides, that without this change children will continue to die as a result of unsafe contact.  

“Improvements for survivors who are in the justice system or considering reporting to the police, are not just about legislation but also about the resourcing of high-quality specialist services. The specialist organisations that support victims through complex criminal proceedings continue to face a funding crisis. We urge the Government to prioritise work planned to reform commissioning practices, so specialist services receive the funding urgently needed.” 

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Five years ago, a landmark piece of legislation was passed that changed the way the nation responds to domestic abuse. The Domestic Abuse Act was signed into law on 29 April 2021, after years of campaigning by Women’s Aid alongside dedicated survivors and activists. 

We marked this milestone with with a anniversary film and a dedicated reception, where we were joined by a whole host of voices, dedicated to making life better for survivors of domestic abuse: 

Powerful messages were shared by our speakers throughout the evening, including our CEO, Farah Nazeer, saying that: “Our task is clear: match the promise of the law with the reality of peoples’ lives”. Our ambassador, Charlie Webster also said: “You can’t design a system to protect people whose reality you don’t understand. Survivor voice is not a nice addition to policy. It’s quality control. The abuse ending is not the end of the story. We need long term wrap around support. Because healing is not an incident, it’s a journey. And right now we’re leaving too many people to walk it alone.”

The Act delivered a real step change in our society. It introduced provisions in a wide range of areas, from housing to the family courts, reflecting the diversity of needs that survivors have when fleeing abuse, as well as the insidious nature of domestic abuse – permeating every aspect of a survivor’s life.

For the first time ever, children were recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right in their own right; and laws relating to coercive control were extended – for example to recognise that a victim did not necessarily need to live with a perpetrator to experience this kind of abuse. 

Women’s Aid was immensely proud to campaign alongside sister organisations, activists, member services, dedicated parliamentarians, and most importantly, women and children with lived experience, to strengthen and support the passing of the legislation.  

Five years on, we are reflecting on the success of the Domestic Abuse Act, the gaps still left to fill and what needs to happen next to protect all women and children and to end domestic abuse for good. 

We have worked with survivors, supporters, ambassadors and policymakers on a film where we hear their vision for building a future free from abuse, and what the next steps are five years on from the Domestic Abuse Act to make this a reality: 

Whilst we celebrate the progress made over the last five years, we must also focus on what comes next to make change happen. 

The Domestic Abuse Act left out some vital provisions that we are still waiting to see: 

• We need to see further protections for migrant survivors facing obstacles when accessing support; 
• Education must do more to prevent abuse in future generations; 
• More funding is vital to support the specialist services across the country protecting women and children. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this video and to the individuals and services working every day to protect survivors. 

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Senior Partnerships Officer

Location: Remote (UK based), Bristol / London office attendance 1 day a week.
Salary: £34,200 (Grade 4) per year (plus Inner London Weighting of £3,483.94, if eligible)
Length of contract: Permanent
Hours per week: 37
Closing date: We reserve the right to adapt the advert at any time per organisational circumstances and to close this vacancy early for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Interviews: Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis

Who are Women’s Aid?

Women’s Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. We are a federation of 185 organisations which provide over 300 local lifesaving services to women and children across the country. For 50 years we have campaigned on behalf of our members and survivors to shape policy and practice, and to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Our support services, which include the Survivors’ Forum, the No Woman Turned Away Project, the Survivor’s Handbook, Love Respect (our dedicated website for young people), the national Women’s Aid Directory and our advocacy projects, help thousands of women and children every year.

Purpose of the Senior Partnerships Officer:

As Senior Partnerships Officer, the successful candidate will play an integral role in delivering against strategy to secure vital income from current and future partners including earned and fundraised income. The role will be responsible for building and maintaining a dynamic pipeline of prospects through research, relationship development and stewardship, with corporate supporters. There may also be some involvement Major/mid-level Donors on some level.

The post holder will lead on maximising support through a variety of corporate fundraising streams from drafting compelling applications and tailored approaches, to developing persuasive cases for support that align with Women’s Aids’ strategic priorities and increase organisational income. The post holder will ensure that funded activities are impactful, measurable and clearly communicated, providing meaningful reporting to both internal stakeholders and external partners.

The post holder will build and maintain strong internal and external relationships, developing a thorough understanding of Women’s Aid’s work, business plans and strategic priorities, and effectively articulating its values, mission and purpose to a wide range of audiences.

Key duties and responsibilities of the Senior Partnerships Officer

• Work closely with the Partnership & Development Manager and Head of Fundraising to continually develop and maintain strategy for maximising income from corporate supporters.
• Line manage two partnerships officers, including setting objectives, conducting regular one-to-ones and appraisals, and supporting their ongoing development to maximise team performance and income generation.
• Support the Partnerships and Development Manager in monitoring performance, producing income forecasts, and reporting on progress to senior leadership.
• Identify, research and cultivate new corporate prospects and new funding opportunities, using our database and extended networks (via Trustees, existing supporters, advisory groups, operational contracts etc.) to build a strong pipeline of opportunity.
• Seek new innovative ways to maximise income generation opportunities via earned income through the sale of Women’s Aid training packages and products/services.
• Act creatively and innovatively to not miss out on opportunities in a fast-paced funding environment. Lead on compelling proposals, pitches and cases for support to secure high-value partnerships (including sponsorships and charity of the year opportunities).
• Ensure all partnerships align with brand, ethical, and compliance standards.

What we are looking for in our Senior Partnerships Officer

• Proven experience of creating meaningful multi-year partnerships, securing sizeable donations
• Experience of acquiring and managing corporate Charity of the Year partnerships
• Good knowledge of the funding landscape and of best practice in multiple areas of fundraising (trusts and foundations, corporate and major donor).

Benefits of joining us as our Senior Partnerships Officer include:

• Generous Annual Leave: 25 days + 2 Company Holidays + 8 UK Bank Holidays, with an extra 1 day per year after 1 year of service, up to a maximum of 5 additional days.
• Valuable Pension Benefits: a generous 7% employer contribution.
• Flexible Working: remote working, a generous TOIL scheme, and family-friendly policies
• Wellness and Support: including a cycle to work scheme, free optician check-ups, annual flu vaccines, access to a 24-hour employee assistance counselling helpline, a ‘Headspace’ app for mindfulness, and ‘Reflective Practice’ sessions.
• Making a Genuine Difference: in a rewarding role where your work will directly result in helping Women’s Aid to be able to provide lifesaving services for women and children across England.

How to apply 

Please read the job description and person specification before applying. Follow this link: to complete your application form and upload your CV. 

NB:

• Women only need apply under schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010
• All posts, including remote posts, must be based in the UK.
• Women’s Aid is committed to quality, equality, and valuing diversity. Applications are particularly welcome from Black and minoritised women.
• Please read our Single Sex Statement on the Women’s Aid Website
• Please note that applications will be reviewed, and interviews arranged, on a rolling basis, so for the best chance of success, please apply ASAP.

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The role
We are looking for a Domestic Abuse Practitioner/IDVA to join our casework team. Our domestic abuse service provides a vital lifeline to women experiencing all forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, economic, spiritual and technological abuse.

You will provide practical and emotional support through:

• Risk and needs assessment
• Safety planning and key work
• Supporting access to counselling, legal advice and other services

You will play a key role in empowering women to rebuild their lives and move towards a safer future.

About you
You will be:

• Experienced in working with vulnerable and high-risk women, particularly those affected by domestic abuse
• Trauma-informed, empathetic and proactive
• Confident managing complex caseloads
• Knowledgeable about the gendered nature of domestic abuse and sexual violence
• Familiar with, and sensitive to, the needs of the Jewish community
• Comfortable using digital tools and systems

Initial 1-year fixed term contract. Extension of contract subject future funding.

Development
If you are not already IDVA-qualified, you will be eligible to apply for SafeLives IDVA training after six months in post.

Please download an application pack and form www.jwa.org.uk/vacancies
If you have any queries, please contact Amy, Operations Assistant on info@jwa.org.uk or 020 8445 8060.

Closing date: Monday 11th May @ 9.00 am

Interviews: Wednesday/Thursday 13th/14th May

This post is advertised in accordance with section 7.2 (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act. Only women need apply. Registered charity number: 1047045

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Nikki Bradley, Director of Delivery at Women’s Aid, comments:

“Following the Supreme Court ruling around the definition of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act, Women’s Aid issued initial guidance to all members to support them with their understanding of the decision and its implications for the vital work that they do. Since then, we have been working extensively with our legal team and experts within the sector to continue supporting member services and to develop robust guidance in this area which is legally compliant and responds to questions our members have posed.

We welcome the news that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is soon to publish its amended Code of Practice following the complex judgements made in courts and a period of discussion, leading to consequent changes and amendments. This should help organisations who are busy on the frontline saving lives, and who often do not have their own legal teams, stay within the law whilst continuing their important work to support survivors of domestic abuse. We will also share updated guidance with our network, to ensure that our members feel confident about their legal obligations. As with the initial guidelines we issued to members following the Supreme Court ruling, the updated documents will be sent directly to them and not shared publicly.

As independent organisations, our members are responsible for setting their own charitable objectives and fundraising to ensure their vital services are sustainable.  As a membership organisation, we strive to support our members with guidance on key issues and work with the government on national policy issues, including availability of funding for the violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector. We recognise the diversity and autonomy of our membership and their expertise and extensive knowledge of the needs of survivors in their locality.”

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Ealing, London

About Us

Housing for Women is a registered charity and independent housing association. We champion female empowerment by providing and promoting affordable homes for women and gender-specific support services. Since 1934, we have been working to build a more equal society for women, a world where everyone has a safe roof over their head regardless of circumstance, where violence against women is no longer tolerated.

We are now looking for a DVA Support Worker to join us on a part-time basis for a fixed-term contract until March 2027.

The Benefits

• Salary of £34,042 per annum pro rata
• Attractive pension scheme
• Perkbox
• Buying and selling annual leave
• Health Shield
• Season Ticket loan
• Subsidised gym membership
• Course Funding

If you have experience supporting vulnerable male adults and male survivors of domestic abuse, this is your chance to make a real difference and drive meaningful change.

In this impactful role, you will support male survivors to rebuild their lives, helping individuals overcome the trauma of abuse and regain safety, confidence and independence.

What’s more, you’ll discover a supportive, compassionate environment where your work will be genuinely valued, giving you the chance to contribute to a service that is actively challenging stigma and improving support for male survivors.

The Role

As a DVA Support Worker, you will provide person-centred emotional and practical outreach support to male survivors of domestic abuse.

You will work closely with survivors through one-to-one support, helping them access appropriate interventions and services while empowering them to move forward safely and independently.

Working collaboratively with local and national partner agencies, you will help co-ordinate support, raise awareness of the service and challenge stigma surrounding male experiences of domestic abuse.

Additionally, you will:

• Carry out risk assessments and develop personalised safety plans
• Provide support through outreach, telephone and digital contact
• Contribute to awareness-raising activities, outreach and partnership initiatives
• Maintain accurate case records and reports in line with monitoring requirements
• Ensure all work aligns with our policies and safeguarding standards

About You

To be considered as a DVA Support Worker, you will need:

• At least two years’ experience supporting vulnerable male adults from diverse backgrounds in a community or floating support setting
• Experience supporting male survivors of domestic abuse
• Experience conducting assessments, including risk assessments and support planning
• Experience working collaboratively with external agencies and partner services
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Children’s Act, Community Care Act, Domestic Violence legislation, Housing Act and MARAC protocol
• Knowledge of safeguarding, welfare benefits and social and voluntary sector services
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A good standard of numeracy and literacy

Please note, this role is open to both male and female candidates who are interested in supporting survivors of domestic abuse.

The closing date for this role is 10th April 2026.

Candidates interested in applying should attach a cover letter outlining how they meet the essential criteria specified in the person specification, as well as how they think they meet Housing for Women’s EPIC values.

Other organisations may call this role Support Worker, IDVA, Independent Domestic Violence Advisor, Domestic Violence Advisor, Domestic Abuse Support Worker, Domestic Violence Support Worker, Outreach Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Advocate, IDVA Support Worker, Community Support Worker, or Domestic Abuse Caseworker.

Housing for Women and Webrecruit are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you’re ready to make a real difference as a DVA Support Worker, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

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Almost two-thirds of domestic abuse referrals rejected due to a shortage of spaces, Women’s Aid report shows 

National domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid has published its annual Domestic Abuse Report, providing a definitive, national picture of the needs and work of domestic abuse services. This year’s report is especially poignant, coming on the heels of the publication of the cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls, following Labour’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade. 

Despite the promises made in the government strategy, the report shows that for the sector to continue delivering lifesaving support, urgent, systemic change is needed immediately. The report shows that demand for specialist domestic abuse services far outstrips the provision that is currently available to survivors. Despite a year-on-year increase in bed spaces, of the 10,665 women and 11,732 children who were supported by refuge services last year, almost two thirds (65.2%) of refuge referrals were rejected. This marked the highest proportion of referrals rejected in five years, primarily due to a lack of space and capacity.  

While domestic abuse remains the most common form of VAWG and the need for spaces is always high, this unprecedented rate of refusals is a direct result of systemic pressures in the housing system.  A combination of poor commissioning practices, inadequate funding and a lack of move-on accommodation is having a dramatic impact on the availability of lifesaving refuge spaces, forcing refuges to turn women and children away at their point of need.  

This year, the Domestic Abuse Report also found that:  

• Survivors with additional support needs, or those from migrant or minoritised backgrounds felt additional challenges when looking for a refuge space. Only 1.1% of refuge vacancies were suitable for wheelchair users, while just 11.5% of vacancies could consider accommodating a woman with no recourse to public funds. 

• Bedspaces remained nearly a fifth below the Council of Europe’s recommendation. 

• Despite the fact that the impact of domestic abuse on child survivors is significant and that they are now recognised as victims in their own right by law, the proportion of refuge services that have dedicated children and young people support decreased by 11.6% across the country. 

• At least one in eight (13.3%) refuge services received no local authority commissioned funding at all. 

• Shockingly, refuges run by and for Black and minoritised women were less likely to be commissioned by the local authority, with 42.9% of Imkaan-member refuges being fully commissioned compared to the national proportion of 72.4% of all refuges being fully commissioned. 

Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, comments:  

“As a direct result of consistently poor commissioning decisions, the domestic abuse sector has faced a decades long funding crisis, yet despite this, it continued to deliver lifesaving care to women and children escaping abuse. It is clear that if we are to tackle the epidemic of violence faced by women and girls, we need the government to urgently address all parts of the system. It is unacceptable that, due to poor decision-making at local level, and the resulting lack of housing and move-on accommodation, women and children are forced to remain in refuges for far longer, leaving countless others unable to receive the support they so desperately need.   

“We also need to see dedicated, ringfenced funding for victims, survivors and those who support them. An unacceptable number of services are operating on partial or unstable funding, with many relying on reserves and volunteers to sustain essential support — with direct consequences for survivors, particularly those with more complex needs and those in by and for Black and minoritised services.   

“The reality is that domestic abuse cannot be eradicated without the support and knowledge that specialist domestic abuse services bring. These services understand survivors and the help they need to rebuild their lives. Their value must be recognised for the lifesaving work they do, and that they are fundamentally the backbone of our country’s response to ending violence against women and girls. The work of these services must be protected, if we are to finally live in a world where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.” 

In addition to adapting to a very demanding landscape, the report shows that services have also continued to evolve in order to provide support to survivors who experienced new forms of technology-facilitated abuse, as well as those impacted by the wider social and political developments, including the far-right riots and the impact of international humanitarian crises.  

Among the most prevalent in technology-facilitated abuse disclosed to services were online stalking (78.1%) and non-consensual intimate image sharing (or threats of sharing) (66.4%). The most common form of technology-facilitated abuse identified as new to services’ experience in the past year was coerced participation in OnlyFans or other online activity. 

Women’s Aid urges the government to recognise the value of specialist services and put in place long-term, sustainable investment. The government must expedite the welcome plans to review current commissioning standards and set out a new National Commissioning Statement, overseeing supported housing and ensuring there is oversight of poor commissioning decisions, prioritising survivor needs over cost-cutting measures. Especially when it is clear that investing in non-specialist services leads to survivors flocking to other public services, creating more pressure on those systems. Without investing in specialist services and breaking down the wider systemic issues, the government will not deliver on its promise of halving VAWG in the next decade and survivors will be left with no safe exit route. 

You can read more and download the report and recommendations here.   

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Women’s Aid Annual Audit 2026: The 2026 edition of Women’s Aid annual publication provides an in-depth picture of the provision, usage and work of domestic abuse services in England during the 2024-25 financial year. The report provides a unique insight into how the domestic abuse sector continues to grow, develop, and adapt, whilst demonstrating  the areas that need to improve. Overall, the evidence demonstrates how specialist domestic abuse services are a life-saving and essential infrastructure, and the national response to violence against women and girls cannot be delivered without a robust and sustainable specialist sector. 

© Women’s Aid, March 2026  

Please cite this report as: 
Women’s Aid. (2026) The Annual Audit 2026, Bristol: Women’s Aid. 

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Ealing, London

About Us

Housing for Women is a registered charity and independent housing association. We champion female empowerment by providing and promoting affordable homes for women and gender-specific support services. Since 1934, we have been working to build a more equal society for women, a world where everyone has a safe roof over their head regardless of circumstance, where violence against women is no longer tolerated.

We are now looking for a Mobile Support Worker to join us on a full-time basis, for a fixed-term contract until March 2027.

The Benefits

• Salary of £32,741 per annum pro rata
• Attractive pension scheme
• Perkbox
• Buying and selling annual leave
• Health Shield
• Season Ticket loan
• Subsidised gym membership
• Course Funding

If you’re a flexible, adaptable support professional with excellent communication skills, this is your chance to join our empowering organisation.

You’ll be making a direct and lasting difference through practical and emotional support within an organisation that is working to build a more equal society and ensure more women have a safe roof over their head, regardless of circumstance.

What’s more, with a strong all-round benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and development, this is your opportunity to be part of work that is both purposeful and deeply rewarding.

The Role

As a Mobile Support Worker, you will provide flexible, trauma-informed support to women and their children across our Domestic Abuse services. You will primarily be based in Ealing, with the requirement to travel to other areas in London as needed.

Managing a caseload of women with a range of needs, you will deliver tailored support through assessments, risk management and individual support plans, helping them stay safe, rebuild independence, and achieve positive outcomes.

You will also provide practical and emotional support, including advocacy, access to services, and guidance on housing, legal rights, education and wellbeing.

Additionally, you will:

• Manage referrals, assessments and inductions for new service users
• Provide responsive, mobile support across different locations
• Monitor rent accounts and support with arrears prevention
• Assist with void management and respond to licence breaches
• Carry out health and safety checks and risk assessments

About You

To be considered as a Mobile Support Worker, you will need:

• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office or equivalent
• The ability to build relationships with work colleagues and key stakeholders
• A high level of flexibility and adaptability

*Due to the sensitive nature of this service, this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and is open to women only. (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1).

The closing date for this role is 10th April 2026.

Candidates interested in applying should attach a cover letter outlining how they meet the essential criteria specified in the person specification, as well as how they think they meet Housing for Women’s EPIC values.

Other organisations may call this role Support Worker, Domestic Abuse Support Worker, Refuge Worker, DVA Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, or Outreach Worker.

Housing for Women and Webrecruit are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you’re ready to support women in rebuilding safer, more independent futures as a Mobile Support Worker, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

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A blog by Farah Nazeer, Women’s Aid CEO

International Women’s Day is always a special event in the Women’s Aid calendar and one that we use as an opportunity for celebration, reflection and of course, looking towards the future. 

These are testing times for so many, with different experiences of constrained resources, political change, the economic environment, and indeed the international context that’s playing out for women at large. The impact of these significant issues on our sector and the women and children we are here for is undeniable, but I wanted to make sure we could still carve some space to recognise what we have achieved together in spite of the many challenges, and our commitment to adapting and persevering to make things better.  

For over half a century, Women’s Aid and its members have been supporting survivors of domestic abuse and working towards creating a society which has no space for misogyny, and which does not tolerate violence against women and girls. Rooted in the feminist movement of the 70s, today, we are a federation of over 180 organisations, supporting women and children as they seek to escape abuse and rebuild their lives. We are a sisterhood and it is by coming together and working together, that we are able to deliver the vital, life-changing support that survivors so desperately need. 

It is a sad reality that women face an unequal amount of challenge and threat – from inequality in the workplace, through to the devastating reality that women are much more likely to be killed by their current or former partners. International Women’s Day is an important opportunity for us to recognise this and to celebrate our sisters, who do so much to help women and children flee. I am grateful to each and every one of them – in our federation and of course, worldwide. 

The scale of the problem we are facing remains devastatingly vast. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, a third of women over the age of 16 in England and Wales experience domestic abuse. This is an astonishingly high figure, and yet, it is likely to be even higher, given that domestic abuse is a crime that hides in plain sight and one that is historically underreported. 

To add to this already deeply challenging context, services are running within a frankly unsustainable funding environment, often being forced to turn women away who need help. Too many women referred to refuges cannot be accommodated because the space simply does not exist. And that matters because we have all heard the question: “Why doesn’t she just leave?” If anyone is still asking that question, the answer is painfully simple. Too often, when she tries to leave, society does not give her somewhere safe to go. Sustainable funding for the services that support women and children is critical. They are the backbone of response to ending violence against women and children. 

Steps are being made to change the wider reality of violence against women and children and many of them are significant. It feels like we are living at a time of reckoning – we see public bodies reflecting on their failings, committing to learn and change. We have seen a government publish a strategy aimed at reducing VAWG. We are also seeing an increasingly aware society, women who are unafraid, who see bad behaviour and who do not shy away from calling it out whether that be online or in their own lives. 

But the reality is, we cannot make the change that is needed alone. Momentum is gaining and it must be maximised and to do this, we must come together. We now need everyone else to stand with us – we need to see promises being delivered on, we need the pace to increase. Every woman who is killed by a predatory man is someone’s mother, daughter, sister, friend, colleague. They deserve better. 

This momentum must go beyond the women’s sector; we need allies from the public and private sector to make a commitment as well. Ending domestic abuse requires change across society; to shift attitudes and to improve the support available to survivors wherever they look for it. 

This year we’ve been so proud to work with some incredible corporate partners on initiatives that make a genuine difference to the lives of survivors. We’ve created pathways of support for women and children in need, delivered awareness campaigns to improve public understanding of abuse and have used our collective voice to reach new audiences and influence government. 

I hope that 2026 brings opportunity for new innovative collaborations between our sector and our corporate allies. It’s these connections and partnerships that gives us the strength and power needed to truly challenge misogyny and abuse that is deep-rooted in our society. 

My message this International Women’s Day is simple – it is hope and it is unity. We face many challenges, but the feminist movement has faced them ever since it began. We know that we can withstand these pressures, we know that we can achieve remarkable things. Join us – be proactive allies, campaign for change, call out dangerous behaviours and support one another. Together, we are unstoppable.

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