Empowering Survivors: The Transformative Power of MARAC Collaboration and Data-Driven Advocacy
We recently sat down with Diniz Kemal, Senior MARAC Coordinator at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, for an exclusive thought leadership interview. With over seven years of experience in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector, Diniz shared her inspiring journey into the field, the critical role of MARACs in addressing systemic challenges, and […]
Fixing a Broken System: Landmark Report Demands Action on Domestic Abuse
Standing Together’s Response to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Report: Shifting the Scales: Transforming the Criminal Justice Response to Domestic Abuse “All victims and survivors of domestic abuse, no matter who they are or where they live, deserve the option of a comprehensive, robust, and trauma-informed response from the criminal justice system that supports them to […]
Inside the Fight Against Domestic Abuse: A CEO’s Strategic Vision for Change
In this exclusive thought leadership interview, we sit down with the CEO of Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA), Cherryl Henry-Leach, to explore the organisation’s strategic vision for combating domestic abuse and creating lasting societal change. With a career deeply rooted in tackling gendered violence and advocating for systemic reform, Cherryl shares powerful insights on […]
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 […]