Jess Asato has been named as the new government advisor on violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Arguably, their isn’t anyone more suited to the job. Before becoming an MP for Lowestoft, Asato led policy and public affairs at Barnardo’s and previously worked for domestic abuse charity SafeLives.
In her new role, Asato will lead efforts to reform the culture of the NHS, ensuring staff can spot signs of abuse and direct women to specialist services. She will also oversee the integration of VAWG support into neighbourhood health centres.
Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting, said: ‘VAWG is a stain on our society and tackling it is everyone’s problem – including the NHS.
‘We think of these as hidden crimes, but we know that in most interactions with the NHS and other institutions the signs are there if we have the training, tools and the will to look.
‘Jess Asato will use her expertise in protecting women and children from vile abuse to ensure victims across the NHS are spotted sooner and given the help they need.’
Over the next six months, Asato is set to focus on three priorities including reducing the impact of alcohol on VAWG, embedding specialist support into neighbourhood health services and improving how services are commissioned so help is available where it is needed most.
‘VAWG isn’t just a criminal justice issue, it’s a public health emergency,’ Asato said. ‘When we strengthen health care systems to identify abuse early, support survivors, challenge perpetrators and address the trauma that fuels cycles of harm, we make communities safer. Ensuring health is not an add-on to prevention; it is a core part of the solution.’
Minister for safeguarding Jess Phillips has welcomed the appointment, describing it as ‘an important step towards ensuring the NHS can spot abuse sooner and connect victims to the support they need.’
‘VAWG is not inevitable – it is preventable. And to achieve our mission of halving it within a decade, we need a whole-society approach,’ Phillips added.
The announcement follows the publication of Dame Elish Angiolini’s inquiry, which was launched after the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021, and comes ahead of the government’s forthcoming Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.
Image: Rad Pozniakov/UnSplash
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