Momentous day as NHS ramps up support for domestic and sex abuse victims

The Government has pledged to end the postcode lottery of support as part of the biggest crackdown on violence against women and girls in history

NHS support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse will be ramped up as part of the biggest crackdown on violence against women in British history, the Government vowed.

Wes Streeting said up to £50million will be ploughed into specialist services for child sex abuse victims. The Health Secretary unveiled a raft of initiatives ahead of the long-awaited violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy, expected this week.

A dedicated referral service for women and girls affected by violence will be up and running in every area of England by 2029, he vowed. This will end a postcode lottery of support, the Government said.

There will also be training for GP surgery staff to spot signs of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Mr Streeting stated: “Victims and survivors of abuse need more than promises – they need change.

“No child should also face their darkest moment alone or be forced to relive their trauma repeatedly to multiple professionals. As a service that often has first eyes on abuse victims, the NHS plays a vital role in supporting and treating victims.

“These changes will put victims first, making sure they have specialist care and reliable support when they need it most.”

The Government has pledged the “full power of the state” will be deployed to tackle VAWG. Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “This is a momentous day for child victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

“Specialist support can be life-changing for children, but we know many are currently unable to access the services they need in their communities.” And Gabrielle Shaw, chief at NAPAC – which supports people affected by childhood abuse – said: “This is a landmark package from the government, and it reflects what survivors have long called for – access and care that doesn’t depend on your postcode.”

It will see Child House projects – which bring agencies like the police and health services together to provide trauma-informed care – rolled out. Currently there is just one, which serves north London.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said: “This government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency. For too long, these crimes have been considered a fact of life. That’s not good enough. We will halve it in a decade.

“This government is ensuring victims and survivors are better supported and given a chance to heal.”