The Domestic Violence Action Sub-Group

Purpose: This Sub-Group monitors Government policy on domestic violence and engages with policy makers to help inform policy. The Group is made up of service providers and academics and liaises closely with officials on all aspects of domestic violence, forced marriage and so-called 'honour-based violence'. 

Chair: The Group is co-chaired by Nicola Harwin Chief Executive of Women's Aid Federation of England and Hannana Siddiqui Joint Co-ordinator of Southall Black Sisters.

Members: The Group includes representatives from Women's Aid in England, Wales and Scotland, Respect, Southall Black Sisters, Imkaan, UNiversity of Bristol Violence Against Women Research Unit, and Greater London Domestic Violence Project.

Work: The Group has focussed on issues such as:  

• Supporting People Programme
• Access to Community Legal Services Funding
• Domestic Violence Delivery Plan and Violent Crime Action Plan   
• Home Affairs Select Committee reports
• The Crown Prosecution Service’s VAW Strategy
• The Minister for Women’s Priorities
• Domestic violence sector funding and Local Area Agreements,
• National Service Standards.

The Sexual Violence Policy Monitoring Sub-Group

Purpose: This Sub-Group monitors Government policy on sexual violence and engages with policy makers to help inform policy. The Group is also made up of service providers and academics and liaises closely with officials on all aspects of sexual violence including trafficking and FGM.

Chair: The Group is chaired by Professor Liz Kelly. 

Members: The group includes representatives from organisations such as the Poppy Project, Eaves Housing for Women, Haven, Rape Crisis England and Wales and the Child and Women Abuse Studies Unit. 

Work: The group have focussed on issues such as:  

• Victims’ Fund
• The Olympics
• The Crown Prosecution Service’s VAW Strategy
• The Minister for Women’s Priorities
• The Home Office Violent Crime Action Plan,
• Sexual Violence Sector funding,
• National Service Standards, and
• Public Service Agreements (PSAs ).