Our vital sector is fighting to survive. Historical underinvestment, the impact of Covid, austerity, and the cost-of-living issues have taken their toll. On top of this, competition for funding is fierce; demand for support is growing faster than our ability to help; and experienced staff are leaving for better paid, less demanding work. The challenges are significant and persistent, and it is survivors of violence – who need and deserve a robust and quality support system – who will lose.

Welsh Women’s Aid understands the needs of our sector and our work is fundamental in navigating this crisis. We will take a proactive approach focusing on representing and supporting specialist services to enable effective, trauma-informed support; amplifying survivor voices; influencing policy and providing essential training to professionals and communities. Vitally, we will ensure that a new Government understands and responds to the reality of violence against women in Wales.