An openDemocracy investigation obtained #police data showing that 894 of 4,112 recorded instances of women’s #arrests for selected offences carried domestic abuse victim flags. The data do not establish that abuse caused the alleged offending. The reporting raises questions about recognising coercion and assessing counter-allegations. Would we #recognise coercive control if the person experiencing it was under arrest? We are concerned by new #reporting on the criminalisation of domestic abuse survivors. opendemocracy.net/domestic-a… #DomesticAbuse #CoerciveControl #WomensJustice #StepwellAlliance

Domestic abuse accounts for 65% of VAWG-related offences in a new national policing #assessment. We are deeply concerned by the #findings from the National Centre for Violence Against Women & Girls and Public Protection which also identifies growing threats from #technology-enabled abuse. Director Helen Millichap KPM has stressed the need to recognise risk earlier and intervene before more people are harmed. @womensaid, Chief Executive @FarahNazeer has also called for a coordinated response to keep #women and #children safe. For us, this means equipping #organisations to recognise patterns of abuse, share concerns safely and act before harm escalates. Prevention needs sustained #investment and clear responsibility for responding when warning #signs appear. news.npcc.police.uk/releases… #VAWG #DomesticAbuse #EarlyIntervention #ViolencePrevention #StepwellAlliance

Why should escaping abuse mean losing your #home? We welcome proposals announced by Housing Secretary, @AngelaRayner to strengthen #protections for domestic abuse survivors in social housing. The changes would help survivors keep their #tenancy while the perpetrator is required to leave. A new #measure would also prevent survivors having to prove abuse again where a relevant protection order is already in place. Keeping a home can mean keeping #children in their school and staying close to people who offer support. These proposals must translate into practical protection, with survivors’ safety guiding how they are implemented. gov.uk/government/news/domes… #DomesticAbuse #HousingRights #SurvivorSupport #VAWG #StepwellAlliance

Want to tackle modern slavery, but unsure how your organisation can help? Exploitation remains a reality today, often hidden within our communities, workplaces and global supply chains. This Anti-Slavery Day, we reaffirm our commitment to defending human rights and everyone’s right to live freely, safely and with dignity. We equip businesses and public bodies with practical tools, tailored training and specialist guidance to help prevent exploitation and respond effectively. Take the next step with us. Get in touch to find out how we can support your organisation: stepwellalliance.com/ #AntiSlaveryDay #EndModernSlavery #StepwellAlliance

Leaving an abusive #relationship can mean facing an immediate question: how will I afford to leave? We welcome the The Scottish Government’s decision to double its Fund to Leave funding to £4 million, announced by Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth. The fund provides immediate financial #help with essentials for #women leaving abusive partners. Access to money can make a practical difference when someone needs to reach safety with their children. Survivors should be able to make decisions about their #safety without financial hardship closing off their options. Read more: gov.scot/news/support-for-wo… #EconomicAbuse #SurvivorSupport #VAWG #StepwellAlliance

Are #workers being paid fairly? Do they feel safe? Can they speak openly about their working conditions? These questions belong at the centre of efforts to prevent #exploitation. We welcome the recent joint visits to two Stafford car washes by @StaffsPolice , the Fair Work Agency, @HMRCgovuk , immigration enforcement and Justice and Care. Officers spoke with staff about their wages, working conditions and wellbeing. No #issues were raised during the visits. PC Helen Walker said the work aimed to understand business operations and check on workers’ welfare, this is a useful #reminder of the importance of speaking directly with workers and making space for concerns to be heard. Read more: staffordshire.police.uk/news… #ModernSlavery #WorkerWelfare #LabourRights #ExploitationPrevention #StepwellAlliance

Survivors deserve to be heard when they feel able to speak. @UKAntiSlavery warns that proposed credibility tests could deny trafficking survivors #recognition and #support. We believe access to protection must reflect the realities of surviving #exploitation. People need time, sensitive support and a fair opportunity to explain what happened to them. We urge #policymakers to listen to #survivors and ensure their #safety remains central to every decision. theguardian.com/law/2026/oct… #ModernSlavery #HumanTrafficking #SurvivorRights #VAWG #StepwellAlliance

From 31,101 cases awaiting a decision to 6,277. What does that mean for survivors of modern slavery? We welcome the progress announced by the @ukhomeoffice , which says it has cleared the backlog covered by its 2024 #commitment. For someone who has experienced #exploitation, a decision can mean finally having that abuse formally recognised and being able to plan their next steps. Waiting in uncertainty can make recovery harder. #Thousands are still waiting. They deserve timely, fair decisions and support that continues after their case is decided. gov.uk/government/news/moder… #ModernSlavery #SurvivorSupport #HumanTrafficking #SurvivorRights #StepwellAlliance

We are deeply concerned by new @Sydney_Uni #research showing rising levels of police-recorded sexual violence against children in Australia. The #study found that recorded sexual assault rates involving girls aged 10–17 increased by 51% between 2014 and 2024. While changes in reporting may contribute to this rise, the findings reinforce the urgent need for prevention and early intervention. Every #child deserves to grow up free from violence. That requires properly funded services, education on consent and healthy relationships, and adults equipped to recognise and respond to concerns. Children need to know that when they speak up, someone will listen and act. Read more: sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/n… #ChildSafeguarding #VAWG #ViolencePrevention #EarlyIntervention #StepwellAlliance

We welcome the @ukhomeoffice's new #requirement for courts to formally #record when an offence involved domestic abuse, a change long called for by @CommissionerDA. Making this #information available across police, prison and probation systems can help agencies recognise patterns of offending and better understand the risks survivors face. As the Domestic Abuse Commissioner said: “That insight is crucial if we are to better #protect victims and hold perpetrators to account.” For someone living in fear of an #abuser, that information needs to lead to timely action. Consistent recording must be matched by effective information sharing, informed risk assessments and support that responds to survivors’ needs. gov.uk/government/news/domes… #DomesticAbuse #SurvivorSupport #PerpetratorAccountability #VAWG #StepwellAlliance

A new #report has been published by researchers led by Monash University, examining how 39 major Australian companies report on modern slavery grievance mechanisms and remedy. The #findings reveal that only 10% disclosed evidence of consulting affected stakeholders or their representatives when designing grievance mechanisms. Just 5% disclosed #remediation outcomes or the proportion of cases resolved to complainants’ satisfaction. These #gaps in public reporting raise important questions about what #happens when workers speak up about exploitation. #Workers need safe ways to raise concerns without fear of retaliation and a clear route to remedy when harm occurs. Businesses must be able to demonstrate how concerns lead to action. monash.edu/news/articles/new… #ModernSlavery #WorkerVoice #HumanRightsDueDiligence #BusinessAndHumanRights #StepwellAlliance