The EU Referendum is only 17 days away, but confusion reigns. Quite frankly, from the content and tone of much of the debate, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the only voters who count are those who for some reason are interested in whether Boris or the Prime Minister is the true alpha male of the political savannah. Talk of house prices rising, and the so-called immigration ‘crisis’ has simply failed to engage huge swathes of the population.
And women’s voices have been depressingly absent.
So let’s change that. And let’s be clear: there is no doubt that membership of the European Union has brought benefits for women - and particularly for women escaping violence and abuse. We haven’t heard enough about this so far.
In the UK, we are prone to forget that living in fear, constantly walking on eggshells, being trapped in a prison that is invisible - but nonetheless real and terrifying - are breaches of a woman’s human rights. If you are being abused in your own home, your human rights are being violated. The EU sets standards, and these are standards that we need to protect women and children in this country.
So, Women’s Aid wants to issue a challenge to both sides.
If you support remaining in the European Union, let’s hear your specific commitment to the protection the EU has introduced for women. And if you’re arguing for Brexit? We want to hear how you will make sure it doesn’t place survivors of domestic abuse in greater danger.
The EU has encouraged, and on occasions required, member states to improve protection and support for victims of crime. It doesn’t run scared from the fact that some crimes are all about gender – domestic abuse being one. It places the abuse of women and girls firmly in the context of human rights, and the fundamental principle of gender equality.
This matters for women, who may ultimately have recourse to its courts, and it matters because the UK government – no matter who leads it – is made to consider the human rights of women and girls specifically.
The EU has also done important practical work, in the last decade, to support the eradication of violence against women; this has been championed and prioritised by the European Parliament. This work includes the European Protection Order, the European Victims Directive, and the Lisbon Treaty.
At this moment in time, the majority of EU member states have developed national strategies and action plans to address VAWG (Violence against Women and Girls). This is largely thanks to the EU.
Sadly, we know all too well, at Women’s Aid where I am chief executive, that if we were not part of system that actively seeks to end violence against women, it could slip off the radar altogether.
Our EU membership gives us a benchmark to hold the government to account. We are among the wealthiest countries in the EU; we should compare favourably in terms of support for survivors. While we are members, this argument is hard to dismiss.
We also have access to an irreplaceable wealth of information on ending violence against women thanks to being in the EU. The EU has held conferences, encouraged the exchange of good practice, supported co-operation between members - particularly through the Daphne programmes. It funds EU-wide networks, such as the European Women’s Lobby and Women against Violence Europe (WAVE), of which Women’s Aid is a member.
This has facilitated exchanges among NGOs and specialist researchers within the EU, as well encouraging dialogue with policy-makers on the requirements for effective intervention and prevention of domestic abuse. It has also created opportunities for defining minimum standards for domestic abuse services.
Finally, EU membership means that women from the UK can flee domestic abuse within the EU, or after moving to another EU country, and receive protection and support. And we owe the same duty to survivors who find themselves in the UK.
Forget house prices: this is about human lives.
Women’s voices have not been heard anywhere near enough in the macho standoff that has passed for a campaign so far. And if women’s voices are not heard, you can bet that survivors of domestic abuse are completely silent.
It’s our job at Women’s Aid to ensure they have a voice in this critical decision – critical for our country and critical for their lives.