Solace

Court backlog at unmanageable levels, says report, as victims suffer from poor mental health in wait for trials There are 73,105 outstanding criminal cases waiting to be dealt with in crown courts in England and Wales, according to the Ministry of Justice.

The Government must act now to implement tougher scrutiny measures, ensure fair funding for specialist support services, and restore survivors’ faith in a system that continuously lets them down.

news.sky.com/story/court-...

YouTube video by Sky News Report says court backlog is unmanageable and 'harming victims'

Court backlogs continue to have devastating and traumatising effects on survivors' experiences with the justice system. Listen to Bella, who was supported by Solace, talk to Ashna Hurynag at Sky News about the effect of a 10-year delay between reporting and court date
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQHU...

If love feels like control, it’s time to reach out. Solace is here to help – call us on 0808 802 5565 or email advice@solacewomensaid.org

#ValentinesMenu

Some relationships start with grand gestures but leave you feeling trapped.

Check the signs:
Sweet words with a hidden agenda.

Possessiveness disguised as passion.
Isolation served with guilt.

#ValentinesMenu

This Valentine’s Day, what’s being served isn’t always love.

Some relationships start with grand gestures but leave you feeling trapped. Love should never come with manipulation.

#ValentinesMenu

Today’s National Audit Office report confirms what we already know: violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a growing epidemic, to which the government response has been historically inadequate. Despite commitments made in the VAWG Strategy, progress has been slow, disjointed, and lacking in meaningful impact. Without a clear understanding of what works, a joined-up approach, or proper engagement with experts and frontline organisations, we will not see the change that survivors desperately need.

We hope that the current government's commitment to halve VAWG in the next decade will lead to significant progress. However, this will only be possible with a whole-society approach, with urgent investment in sustainable funding for specialist services, prevention and early intervention through education, and a justice system that truly protects survivors. Solace continues to support survivors amid continued demand and limited resources, but we need a detailed and long term cross-government effort to truly tackle VAWG. Survivors deserve better now, not years from now.

Today's National Audit Office report confirms what we already know: violence against women and girls is a growing epidemic to which the government response has been historically inadequate. Our Director of Services, Jen Cirone, discusses this on Sky News from 1:54:09: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb9r...

Woman's Hour - Women’s refuges and disability, Aisling Walsh, Roxanne de Bastion - BBC Sounds Why women with disabilities are impacted more by domestic abuse

Listen in to BBC Woman's Hour to hear Solace Director, Rebecca Goshawk, discussing the need to prioritise accessible accommodation for survivors with disabilities www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

#DomesticAbuse #Refuge #Survivor #EndVAWG #VAWG

We once again call for a firewall between public services so all survivors can report abuse, and an end to the discriminatory practice of refusing public services to women subjected to abuse and exploitation.

#EndVAWG #Migrant #Women #Support #Immigration

Migrant domestic abuse survivors 'need more support' A domestic abuse survivor says her husband threatened to have her deported if she reported the abuse.

Harpreet’s story is upsetting and, unfortunately, all too common. Migrant women are particularly vulnerable to domestic abuse as their immigration status can be deliberately exploited by perpetrators and access to support is often limited.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We have a newsletter out now! Read all of our recent newsletters and sign up to receive future ones so you can keep up to date with what's happening at Solace at the following link: www.solacewomensaid.org/our-newslett...

#SolaceNewsletter #CharityNews #EndVAWG

We welcome the Domestic Abuse Commissioner's report, which reveals what women's organisations know all too well: the shocking failures of a criminal justice system that so often fails survivors of domestic abuse. The finding that only 4% of police officers accused of domestic abuse have been dismissed is deeply concerning and highlights a systemic lack of accountability. Survivors face endless barriers – from poor enforcement of protective orders to dangerous delays in court – leaving many without the safety and justice they deserve.

We stand with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner in calling for urgent reform to make the system accountable, consistent, and transparent. The Government must act now to implement tougher scrutiny measures, ensure fair funding for specialist support services, and restore survivors’ faith in a system that has continuously let them down.

We welcome the Domestic Abuse Commissioner's report, which reveals what women's organisations know all too well: the shocking failures of a criminal justice system that so often fails survivors of domestic abuse.
domesticabusecommissioner.uk/commissioner...
#EndVAWG #DomesticAbuse

Solace stands in solidarity with @jessphillipsmp against the hateful and misogynistic abuse she is receiving from the far right. Violence against women and girls is a very real and pervasive issue in our society, which Phillips has dedicated much of her career to addressing. Weaponising it to attack her with baseless accusations undermines the experiences of survivors and distracts from the real problem of male violence. We will continue to provide support for survivors and campaign for societal change so that all women and children can live safe lives free from abuse.

Solace stands in solidarity with @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social against the hateful and misogynistic abuse she is receiving from the far right.

We continue to provide support for survivors and campaign for societal change so that all women and children can live safe lives free from abuse.

#EndVAWG

Do you see Maya? I see her #IseeMaya - Solace Womens Aid Meet Maya, Maya represents the 1 in 2 women who will face emotional abuse.... Read more »

We can't do this without your support. Your donation could make a world of difference to survivors across London - and if you donate by the 31st of December, you can receive a special Solace Maya decoration as a thank you www.solacewomensaid.org/get-involved/do-you-see-maya-i-see-her-iseemaya

For women living in refuges, this is how we bring Christmas spirit We want to offer a sense of normality to survivors, especially during a time of the year that can be very isolating.

Christmas can be a particularly isolating time for those experiencing #domesticabuse. Our Camden Refuges Service Manager, Kalina Shah, writes about how we make sure the women and children in our refuges feel safe & supported through the festive period and all year round
metro.co.uk/2024/12/24/w...

In sharing her own experiences she joins fellow activists and government ministers to discuss what needs to happen to end VAWG. Rehema’s reflection on what needs to be done to end VAWG is one of the reasons we look forward to continuing our work on early intervention and prevention.

YouTube video by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Activists Roundtable: Let’s talk about violence against women and girls.

Our incredible ambassador, Rehema, took part in this roundtable on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), hosted by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0hP...

Our Newsletters - Solace Womens Aid Keep up to date with what’s happening at Solace.... Read more »

We have a newsletter out now! Read all of our recent newsletters and sign up to receive future ones so you can keep up to date with what's happening at Solace www.solacewomensaid.org/our-newslett...
#SolaceNewsletter #CharityNews #EndVAWG

'I was homeless at just 16 and slept in a car for months – before being raped’ Lainey Port has bravely waived her right to anonymity to tell of the horror she faced being homeless as a teenager - as well as telling how she stayed in a friend’s car and slept in the park or on nig...

You can read the other articles in the double page spread here:
Lainey's story: www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...
Lucy Campbell at Single Homeless Project's op ed: www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Find out more about the Women's Rough Sleeping Census here: www.solacewomensaid.org/womens-rough...

Hidden homeless crisis as hundreds more women sleep rough than official stats A week-long charity census by the Single Homeless Project and Solace Women's Aid discovered more than 1,000 females had been on the streets – far higher than the government’s own count

🗞️ Front page news: the results from our Women’s Rough Sleeping Census with SHP show the number of women sleeping rough is nearly double Govt figures. Women’s homelessness is a gendered crisis - we need safe housing, trauma-informed support & urgent action on #VAWG.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Human rights affect people everywhere, every day. They play a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good. It serves as a day to reflect on the progress made in promoting human rights and to highlight the challenges that persist.

Backlog of rape and sexual offences in crown courts is 'totally unacceptable', chief prosecutor says The backlog of rape and sexual offence cases in the nation’s crown courts is "totally unacceptable", England’s chief prosecutor Stephen Parkinson has said.

This week, @skynewsrss.bsky.social featured our Young Women's ISVA, Raffy Elliston, discussing the latest CPS announcement on proposed support for survivors of rape and sexual offences.
news.sky.com/video/backlo...

Our Survivor Ambassador, Sam, talking about the importance of our #IseeMaya campaign. Donate £20 or more to our #IseeMaya campaign and you can receive your own special Maya tree ornament, donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05.... Show your solidarity with survivors this Christmas.

#IseeMaya #EndVAWG

London-based charity raises awareness of emotional abuse this christmas | London Daily News Solace, a leading specialist charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, is calling on people to recognise signs of emotional abuse this Christmas and to donate to receive thei...

@londondailynews.bsky.social has highlighted our campaign showing that 1 in 2 women will experience emotional abuse. You can help Solace support survivors - and anything you donate until the 10th of December will be doubled! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

www.londondaily.news/london-based...

We are Solace, a leading, intersectional feminist, UK charity specialising in supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence. If you want to keep up to date with our work, follow us here where we will be sharing how to get support and updates on our work and the sector

You can read our full statement here: www.solacewomensaid.org/news/item/le....

We need your help to reach the women and children who need us. Please donate so that we can continue to deliver lifesaving support to survivors across London cafdonate.cafonline.org/27088#!/Dona...

Solace is leaving X (formerly Twitter). We are still here for survivors - if you need to use our services including our free and confidential advice line, contact us on 0808 802 5565 or advice@solacewomensaid.org. To keep up with our work, follow us here and @ solacewomensaid on Instagram & TikTok

Solace Womens Aid: violence against women ends here Solace Womens Aid offers free advice and support to women and children in London to build safe and strong lives free from male abuse.

If you need support, Solace is here to help. Contact us on advice@solacewomensaid.org, call 0808 802 5565, or visit solacewomensaid.org
#EndVAWG #Spiking

Drink spiking to be made criminal offence as Starmer pledges crackdown Prime minister laid out plans to chief constables, transport bosses and industry executives in Downing Street on Monday

While spiking is already illegal, making it a specific offence highlights its severity. Training hospitality workers is a positive step but more is needed to ensure women are safe in all spaces. Sustained action is needed to tackle violence against women & girls www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

Shame is never on the victim/survivor. At Solace we listen, we believe and we never judge. If you need support then contact us on: advice@solacewomensaid.org or call 0808 802 5565.
#EndVAWG

(references: ONS, Refuge, FearFree, NCDV, IOPC)