People more concerned about violence against women and girls than immigration, poll shows
Britons are more worried about violence against women and girls (VAWG) than immigration, putting pressure on the government to act faster to tackle the problem, a new report has suggested.
The report, published on Wednesday by the Health Equity Foundation, warned that “decades of underinvestment and inattention have eroded women’s confidence.” [VAWG]It fails.
A survey conducted as part of the report IndependentIt reveals that nearly nine in ten adults (88 percent) say they are concerned about VAWG; which leaves it only slightly behind the NHS (91 per cent) and the cost of living (93 per cent).
Notably, this rate is well ahead of the 77 percent of immigration and 72 percent of unemployment.
The government has put its anti-immigration mission at the center of its agenda, forming a key part of Labour’s plan to win back votes from Reformation England despite devastating approval ratings.
While Labor has also pledged to halve violence against women and girls within a decade – a plan announced in the long-delayed VAWG strategy in December – this has been a far less prominent mission than Sir Keir Starmer’s attempt to curb immigration.
Baroness Nargund, founder of the Health Equality Foundation and Labor Party member, said: Independent He called on ministers to implement policies that prioritize women’s safety and wellbeing “without delay” as the government “makes meaningful progress by placing women’s concerns at the center of its agenda”.
The survey also reveals that in the last twelve months alone, almost half (44 per cent) of women have avoided a place, route or situation because they feel unsafe, compared to 26 per cent of men.
Baroness Nargund told Independent: “Concern about violence against women and girls now ranks as one of women’s top concerns, alongside the NHS and the cost of living.
“This is not an abstract concern; it is about women not feeling safe on the streets, on public transport or even in their own homes.
“More than its predecessors, the government has made meaningful progress by placing women’s concerns at the center of its agenda.
“The Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, the renewal of the Women’s Health Strategy and the expansion of funded childcare services are welcome and important steps in the right direction.”
She added: “The priority now is delivery. It is imperative that policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of women are implemented without delay. If women can see and feel this change in their daily lives in the coming year, then trust can be rebuilt.”
The survey, conducted by GGF Insights between 13-17 March, interviewed a nationally representative 4,007 British adults.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs was contacted for comment.
