NHS to offer specialist support for abuse victims across England
It's part of the government's Violence Against Women and Girls strategy
Survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence in England will benefit from enhanced NHS support, with new measures set to transform how the health service responds to violence against women and girls.
The government has announced a national referral service, "Steps to Safety," to connect abuse victims to specialist help via trained GP practice staff across England by 2029. The initiative aims to eliminate regional disparities in available support.
Child sexual abuse survivors will also gain access to specialist trauma care as the Child House model expands nationwide, funded by up to £50 million. Currently, only one Child House operates in North London, but the investment will increase access to this one-roof model, which provides therapeutic care, advocacy, and long-term support for children.
Healthcare professionals will receive improved training to support abuse survivors during routine appointments, and staff groups at GP practices will include dedicated support workers to ensure victims receive appropriate care.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said these changes represent a major step forward for NHS efforts to support and treat victims.
"Victims and survivors of abuse need more than promises; they need change," Streeting said.
The government's Violence Against Women and Girls strategy underlines its commitment to tackling abuse by challenging misogyny, promoting healthy relationships, and appointing specialist teams in police forces.
Minister for Safeguarding, Jess Phillips, declared that the government aims to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade.
Child House expansion aligns with recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, reflecting survivors' calls for better and unified access to care.
Chief Executive of NSPCC, Chris Sherwood, welcomed the investment:
"This is a momentous day for child victims and survivors of sexual abuse. Specialist support can be life-changing for children," Sherwood said.
Further to this, £20 million has been allocated to support specialist organisations currently aiding abuse victims, showing the government’s determination to address domestic abuse and sexual violence through healthcare improvements.
The reforms follow recent initiatives, including Raneem's Law, embedding domestic abuse specialists in emergency call centres, and a £550 million investment in victim support services.
How are local charities reacting to the news
Endeavour Project, in Bolton, help support victims of domestic abuse.
Linda Charnock works for the charity, and believes grassroot organisations, such as Endeavour, should be involved in any new initiatives: " I think what central Government is doing wrong, is not having consultations with the domestic abuse services on the ground.
"We need that money coming into the right services, and for central Government to be able to look at the services who are doing the work on the ground, and ask them what's working and where that money is needed."
Linda said the Government should ask charities what is working and what is not working, as well as asking them where extra support and funding may assist what they're already doing: "If it's something that's already been tried and not been working, there's no point throwing loads of money at it if we know that's not actually a great pathway to go through."