“It’s been a year of consolidation, rebalancing and reflection for RISE. After funding cuts made it necessary to revise our structure and team in 2024, this year, we’ve been getting used to our ‘new normal’. A smaller, leaner service, still delivering support - still there for survivors.
In our sector, 2025 has seen in some welcome changes in legislation and new campaigns.
In early November, the government announced plans to wipe convictions for people who were convicted or cautioned as children for loitering or soliciting. We know that many of those affected here were children, made to sell sex by adults who exploited them. These people are survivors, not criminals.
October was a landmark month for our sector with numerous changes in legislation, and new campaigns, announced.
Suicide Is Homicide, run by Project Resist, wants every suicide in which the deceased has been a victim of domestic violence to be investigated as a potential homicide. Domestic Homicide Reviews were renamed to Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews in 2024, when the then Conservative government started action to better recognise the often hidden victims of domestic abuse who die after suicide, coercive and controlling behaviour, and economic abuse.
Killed Women and Southall Black Sisters launched Invisible Women, a campaign to confront systemic failures that leave Black, minoritised and migrant abuse victims and families unprotected and without justice. The campaign demands accountability, visibility and systemic reform across policing, Domestic Abuse-Related Death Reviews, inquests and support services.
The Government announced plans to scrap the ‘presumption of parental involvement’, a legal stance which has led to untold harm, and continued abuse. The change followed the tireless campaigning of the incredible Claire Throssell, whose children Jack and Paul were tragically killed by their abusive father during court ordered contact. This is a huge step and we admire Claire so much for the work she has done and the persistence she has shown.
Person at Risk of Violence Order fees will be scrapped. From November, survivors of violence and domestic abuse will no longer have to pay over £300 to ensure their abuser cannot track them down via public records. It’s astonishing that this has been permitted and we are glad to see it end.
Parental responsibility will be automatically restricted towards children born of rape, and when a parent is convicted of serious sex offences against any child. Restriction will happen immediately following sentencing, removing the necessity to apply through the family court.
More is needed - the case for a well funded specialist support for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse remains strong, and unmet.
We know there are structural inequalities and prejudices at play in our institutions that will mean pushback and unwillingness to work to the new laws.
We know that perpetrators will continue to abuse - and we know that Christmas and other occasions can be flashpoints, hijacked by perpetrators who perhaps have more access to victim-survivors during time off work. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24/7/365 - every minute of every day of the year including over Christmas and New Year.
But as we head into the festive season, I want to take a moment to acknowledge progress made, and the people who keep showing up to make it. My sincere thanks to our staff team, volunteers, Trustees and supporters. Good things are happening. Let’s appreciate that, rest if we can, and come back ready to fight on in 2026.
I wish the very best for a safe and happy festive season.”
