Campaigners Urge Government to Address Child Abuse in VAWG Strategy

Campaigners have warned that the government’s latest Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy risks leaving child victims unprotected after a draft plan appeared to exclude child sexual abuse from its scope. Concerns have been raised directly with the Home Secretary, with advocacy groups urging immediate revisions and warning that policy failures could erode public trust in law enforcement.

The leaked document, reported by Sky News, indicated that while the strategy recognises a link between violence against women and girls and child sexual abuse, it does not specifically include crimes such as child sexual exploitation within its remit. The omission has sparked criticism from survivors, charities and support networks, who argue that separating the two fails to reflect the reality of many victims’ experiences and risks creating another layer of bureaucracy rather than practical protection.

Survivors and organisations have expressed frustration that the government’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls by 2035 could be undermined if younger victims are excluded. Poppy Eyre, who was abused by a family member during childhood, questioned the decision: “VAWG is violence against women and girls. If you take child sexual abuse out of it, where are the girls?” Critics say such exclusions weaken accountability and suggest a government more focused on targets than outcomes.

The Survivors Trust, one of the leading organisations supporting victims, described the strategy as potentially damaging if not broadened. Its chief executive, Fay Maxted OBE, called for “urgent clarification” and said that all victims must be supported regardless of age. She stressed the need for collaboration with specialist organisations to ensure that no group is overlooked and urged ministers to move beyond headline promises and deliver practical enforcement mechanisms.

End Violence Against Women, another advocacy group, warned that a disjointed approach to tackling gender-based crimes risks undermining long-term safety and trust in public services. The group pointed out that abuse often cuts across age brackets and said that policies must reflect that reality rather than dividing responsibilities between overlapping government initiatives.

The Home Office has stated that child sexual abuse is being addressed through separate initiatives, including national inquiries into grooming gangs and exploitation. A spokesperson said the department takes such crimes seriously and insisted that work is under way to ensure child victims receive adequate protection. However, critics argue that separating the issues may create gaps in care and prevention, particularly when many victims move from childhood abuse to adult exploitation.

The National Audit Office has also raised concerns about the government’s broader response to gender-based violence, citing a lack of joined-up efforts between agencies and unclear lines of accountability. Experts say that unless policies are integrated, progress on reducing violence could stall and taxpayers will continue funding fragmented schemes that fail to deliver results.

This debate comes at a time when public confidence in tackling crime is under scrutiny, with pressure on the government to show clear leadership. Advocacy groups say that the strategy must be transparent, victim-focused, and inclusive to meet its objectives. Without addressing child abuse directly, they fear the plan will fall short of its goal to deliver meaningful protection to women and girls across the UK and will reinforce the perception that promises of reform rarely translate into decisive action.