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New statistics highlight that Violence Against Women and Girls remains an epidemic. 

Posted by Jenni James on 23 October 2026

These figures demonstrate once again that Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a national emergency , requiring urgent action to keep women and girls safe from harm. 

Also released this week was the first ever major risk assessment of VAWG across England and Wales, which found that domestic abuse accounts for 65% of all VAWG-related offences, and that more than half of recorded rape and serious sexual assault offences were committed by a current or former partner. The assessment also found that 15-19 year olds see some of the highest rates of abuse, with ‘online influences’ identified as a key contributor to harmful behaviour amongst young people. 

Figures like this can’t be ignored.

They demonstrate what we see everyday at Restored: too many women, from every age, stage and background, experiencing abuse at the hands of men who should love and care for them. A culture that has normalised misogyny so that Violence Against Women and Girls is commonplace, continuing to the next generation. 

It’s not just official reports and crime statistics that highlight this reality: our tv screens, social media and news feeds show it too. 

This week we’ve seen coercive and controlling behaviours broadcast for entertainment on ITV’s Big Brother, with little action taken by the show’s producers to challenge the behaviour or protect others from harm. On social media, comedian Vittorio Angelo faced backlash from fans and fellow comics for his joke about sexual assault survivor Rebecca Goodwin, which he clipped and posted as a highlight from his podcast. Police Detective Linda Williams has shared her story of being raped by a fellow officer, and the devastaing impact of Scotland Yard’s insufficient handling of her case. 

It seems that wherever you look, Violence Against Women and Girls has taken root.

If we want to see a change in the statistics on domestic abuse and VAWG, we must address the culture that enables them. 

At Restored, we support over 1000 women who’ve experienced domestic abuse. We work to amplify their voices and advocate for them on national and international levels. Today, we call again on the UK Government to prioritise action to prevent VAWG and protect women and girls, by working with specialist agencies and allocating sustainable funding to support services. We also call on the Church to take up the call ‘speak up and do something’ (Judges 19:30) – in your preaching, teaching and in the culture that you strive to develop. Violence Against Women and Girls is an emergency, and we can’t wait any longer to see things change.