Letter from WomensAid to Home Secretary: "Southport attack must be seen as part of VAWG epidemic"

Women’s Aid and 76 of its member organisations have issued a letter to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, insisting that the knife attack in Southport earlier this week be viewed not in isolation but as part of the wider epidemic of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The Letter states: "We are writing to you as Women’s Aid Federation, comprising of over 180 organisations service women and children affected by male violence, to set out our horror at the attack that took place in Southport on Monday 29th July. This has tragically resulted in the murder of three young girls - Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar. Our wholehearted thoughts are with their families and those that knew them. This incident is a horrific tragedy - it is disappointing that it is being viewed in isolation and not through a lens of violence against women and girls (VAWG). As with other incidents we have seen in recent years - whether it be the murders of Nicole Smallman, Bibaa Henry, Sarah Everard, Ellie Gould, or Alice Ruggles – the violence has always been a male problem. This is further shown to be true through the misogynistic and violent messages we have received when our organisations have spoken out about this. Less than a week ago, the National Police Chiefs Council’s (NPCC’s) report declared VAWG a national emergency. Our sector has long been raising the alarm bells about this national threat that has not been sufficiently prioritised, addressed through the right, meaningful action or accountability, or received the investment needed to address and end it. Furthermore, while the findings of the NPCC into the scale of violence against women and girls in this country are alarming, it is important to remember that many survivors will not report their experiences to the police. The issue will, we know, be much larger than the data shows."