22 May, 2026
We strongly welcome the UK Government’s leadership in launching an international mission to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), and its commitment to strengthening global collaboration to address this urgent and complex issue.
VAWG remains one of the most significant challenges facing societies worldwide. Its scale and complexity demand a coordinated, evidence-led response that goes beyond enforcement to include prevention, early intervention, and long-term cultural change. Tackling VAWG requires a whole-system approach, bringing together justice, health, education, and community partners.
Crucially, this response must place babies, children and young people at its centre. We know that exposure to domestic abuse in early life has profound and lasting impacts on development, relationships, and future life outcomes. If we are serious about long-term change, we must prioritise the earliest years and intervene before harm becomes embedded across generations.
Driving Progress Through International Learning
We strongly support the mission’s focus on international knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Real progress in tackling VAWG depends on our ability to learn across cultures; understanding what works in different contexts and adapting these approaches effectively.
Our recent work in Germany (pictured below) and Australia demonstrates the practical value of international collaboration – learning from one another and sharing best practice, with a view to delivering more effective interventions for parents, children and babies impacted by domestic abuse. It also supports joined-up practice between nations, which is vital for protecting the rights of babies and children as co-victims of domestic abuse, whatever country they are in. This includes UK citizens who are travelling or residing in other countries, and are in need of safety and protection.
Trauma-Informed and Whole-Family Responses
At the heart of effective practice must be a commitment to trauma-informed approaches. Services must be designed to support recovery without causing further distress, recognising the cumulative and often lifelong impact of abuse.
We also emphasise the importance of whole-family approaches, recognising that abuse affects not only individuals but entire family systems – especially babies and children, who are too often invisible in responses. Interventions must consider children, partners, and wider family dynamics to ensure both immediate protection and long-term stability and safety.
Alongside this, we are clear that meaningful progress requires development of trauma-informed approaches to those using abusive behaviours. A significant proportion of individuals who cause harm have themselves experienced domestic abuse, trauma, or adversity in childhood, and it is imperative that we take action to break cycles of domestic abuse within families.
Addressing this does not excuse harm, but it does require us to respond differently. Trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions that engage individuals, support behaviour change, and address underlying drivers of abuse are essential if we are to reduce risk and create lasting safety for families.
Breaking the Cycle of Harm
Tackling VAWG effectively means addressing its root causes. Evidence shows that cycles of abuse can be perpetuated across generations without early and targeted intervention.
Breaking these cycles requires:
- Early identification, particularly during pregnancy and early childhood, when there is an increased risk
- Preventative work with babies, children and young people
- Support for parents and caregivers to build safe, nurturing relationships
- Integrated, trauma-informed interventions across agencies, including for those using abusive behaviours
This shift toward early intervention and prevention is essential to reducing harm sustainably and ensuring that children are not growing up to repeat the patterns they have experienced.
A Shared Commitment
We recognise that policing alone cannot resolve VAWG. Success depends on multi-agency collaboration, shared accountability, and a focus on prevention as well as response. It also depends on a willingness to take a more holistic, trauma-informed approach, recognising that long-term safety will not be built by relying solely on enforcement, but through healing, behaviour change, and breaking intergenerational cycles of harm.
We stand ready to support this international mission and continue work alongside partners across the UK and globally to deliver meaningful, baby-centred, and lasting change.
