Women’s Aid has released new statistics revealing that domestic abuse services are being forced to run their vital therapeutic support without any dedicated funding, while survivors desperate for help are unable to access the support they need to rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic abuse. The government is set to announce draft legislation for its domestic abuse bill at any moment.

Responding to the publication of the John Gillen Review initial findings and recommendations on the justice system’s response to serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland, Sarah Green, Co-Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition said: “John Gillen’s review is a compelling read. He has not been afraid to talk to all interested parties, to name some of what has been unsayable around rape trials, and to make bold recommendations.His recognition that “rape myths” are a reality and a serious problem in rape trials is very welcome.

The Home Office has called for responses to a proposed mandatory reporting duty requiring professionals to report cases of forced marriage. Questions for consideration include: the introduction of a mandatory reporting duty on forced marriage; what types of cases should be reported under a new duty; which age groups should be subject to a mandatory reporting duty; which professionals should the duty apply to and to whom reports should be made. The consultation closes at 11pm on 23 January 2019.

Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt has announced a fundamental shift in focus for the Government Equalities Office (GEO) which will include putting marginalised women at the heart of its work on gender.

Ms Mordaunt said that the GEO has made significant progress in working towards closing the gender pay gap, getting women into work and being a driving force behind getting more women on boards in top companies, but that often low-paid, low-skilled women were left out of the conversation.