Promising and innovative practices to tackle violence against women exist across the United Kingdom, but years of austerity have weakened crucial services for victims – including the police, the justice system and healthcare.

These are among the main findings of the first evaluation of the UK’s implementation of the Istanbul Convention on violence against women and domestic violence, published today by the Council of Europe’s expert body GREVIO.

The report notes that the UK authorities have long pursued a solid policy agenda in this area, notably resulting in cutting-edge criminal law provisions – on issues including non-fatal strangulation and coercive and controlling behaviour – and the Online Safety Act.

A wealth of data is regularly produced and made use of by the authorities to ensure evidence-based policymaking, says the report. Comprehensive strategies also exist to ensure women are safe from violence and various multi-agency intervention schemes operate throughout the country. Some of these initiatives – for example, rape crisis or sexual assault referral centres, as well as victim support provided by independent domestic violence advisors in legal proceedings – have even inspired certain elements of the Istanbul Convention. 

Nevertheless, austerity measures in recent years have adversely affected the UK’s implementation of the convention, impacting women’s rights organisations and leaving crucial general services underfunded and understaffed.
Furthermore, demand for women’s shelters widely exceeds the number of places available, the provision of specialist counselling to victims is patchy and the financing of these crucial specialist support services is insecure.

The report also raises concerns about access to services for migrant women and girls, as well as other victims of violence subject to discrimination – including women with disabilities, those belonging to ethnic minorities and the elderly.

In addition, GREVIO highlights shortcomings in ensuring safety in child contact arrangements, due to domestic violence either being unrecognised by family courts or its extent and impact being severely downplayed.

GREVIO also underlines a clear link between the insufficient training of law enforcement officials, prosecutors and judges and low charging rates for violence against women. At the same time, GREVIO recognises the on-going efforts to address these issues.

Another major gap in the UK’s implementation of the convention relates to emergency barring orders, which are chronically under-used in England and Wales and which are not provided for by law in either Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Finally, the report raises serious concerns about the safety of the accommodation offered to women and girls during asylum proceedings, noting alarming reports of rape, sexual harassment and assault underlining the urgent need for more gender-sensitive arrangements.

Today’s report, which identifies a number of issues requiring urgent action, has been published together with the response from the UK authorities.

Government comments

GREVIO and the United Kingdom