Failing Survivors: The Urgent Need for Reform in Police responses to Domestic Abuse
Standing Together sends heartfelt condolences to the family of Kiena Dawes. Her suicide underscores the gaps in a justice system that continues to fail victims of domestic abuse. Although we respect the Criminal Court’s findings, we have no doubt that the abuse she suffered was linked to her death. This highlights critical flaws within law […]
Accelerating Action for Gender Equality: A Call for Global Collaboration
As we look ahead to International Women’s Day this March, with the theme #AccelerateAction, it’s more crucial than ever to recognise the urgent need for global collaboration in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and advancing gender equality. The findings from the European Union’s recent Gender-Based Violence Survey paint a sobering picture: one in three women in […]
Driving Change: STADA’s Response to the Ministry of Justice’s Sentencing Review 2024/2025
The upcoming review of the Sentencing Guidelines by the Ministry of Justice represents a critical opportunity to address persistent gaps in how the Criminal Justice System responds to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Behind every statistic is a survivor whose safety, recovery, and future depend on a justice system that understands […]
STADA’s Perspective on Media Access to Family Courts: A Step Towards Transparency
The Government recently announced its plans to allow media and press access to family courts and tribunals. As an organisation that supports victim-survivors of domestic abuse, Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA) hopes this move will allow for greater transparency regarding both the experiences of domestic abuse victim-survivors and the barriers they face when seeking […]
Advocating for Stronger Safeguards: The UK’s Commitment to IICSA Recommendations and the Path Forward
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA) welcomes the UK government’s commitment to advancing the recommendations made by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). This pivotal step forward will serve to enhance the safeguarding of children, offer a stronger voice to survivors, and create a more responsive, accountable system for child protection. Child sexual […]
Standing Together Applauds Mandatory Reporting as a Key Step in Protecting Children
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse welcomes the introduction of mandatory reporting, which makes it clear that domestic abuse is a critical child safeguarding issue. Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) are increasingly recognised as key factors in child-in-need assessments, highlighting the pervasive and harmful impact on children’s safety and well-being. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 further […]
Standing Together Applauds Safe Leave Bill and Highlights the Need for Coordinated, Survivor-Centric Support
At Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, we warmly welcome the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill, which introduces a vital provision granting victims of domestic abuse the right to 10 days of paid leave. This measure addresses a significant barrier that many survivors face—lack of financial stability—empowering them to take the time needed to prioritise their […]
Tackling Domestic Abuse: The Power of Intersectionality, Collaboration, and Supporting the Next Generation
In this thought leadership piece, we explore the inspirational journey of Jackie Hyland, Executive Director of Health at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA). A pioneering leader and advocate for survivors, Jackie shares her transformative work in tackling domestic abuse through intersectionality, collaboration, and community-driven solutions. Tackling Domestic Abuse: The Power of Intersectionality, Collaboration, and […]
Empowering Survivor Voices: A Conversation with Arlene from Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
In this thought leadership piece, we reflect on an inspiring conversation with Arlene Mensah (Senior Lead for Survivor Voice, Health), a key figure at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA). Arlene plays a vital role in amplifying the voices of survivors, offering a powerful perspective on the importance of giving survivors the space and autonomy […]
Standing Together in Support of Gisèle Pelicot: A Statement on Her Courage and Resilience
Today, we stand in solidarity with Gisèle Pelicot and her family as they navigate the aftermath of a challenging ordeal. Gisèle’s courage in seeking justice, despite unimaginable hardship, is a testament to her resilience. We are deeply grateful for her bravery and the strength she has shown throughout this journey. It also serves as a powerful […]