Since the UK signed the Istanbul Convention on violence against women in 2012, in England and Wales alone over 600 women have been killed by a partner or former partner.* Each year around 85,000 women are raped, and 400,000 sexually assaulted.
The Home Office have just published their fifth annual report on the UK’s progress towards ratifying the Istanbul Convention – the gold standard national approach to tackling violence against women.
Sadly, almost a decade after signing the Convention, ratification is still not even on the horizon. And until the Government ratifies the Convention, its minimum standards are not legally binding
Despite the extent and seriousness of violence against women in the UK, as well as the national cry for robust, meaningful action following the murders of Sarah Everard and Blessing Olusegun, the Government continues to drag its heels and refuses to move beyond simply paying lip service to ratification.
With Moldova becoming the 35th country to ratify the Istanbul Convention in October 2021, the UK continues to fall rapidly behind internationally.
Ongoing delays and excuses
We acknowledge the positive steps taken in the last year, with the the criminalisation of psychological violence in Northern Ireland through the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, the extension of extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) over certain violent and sexual offences through the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and ETJ provisions entering into force in England, Wales and Scotland.
However, as we approach the tenth anniversary of the UK signing the Convention, the ongoing delays and the Government’s failure to provide a timeline for ratification are startling.
The reasons given for stalling are twofold. Firstly, there are setbacks to the provisions on extra-territorial jurisdiction and the new offence of psychological violence coming into force in Northern Ireland. Former Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins had assured us that this was set to be implemented by autumn 2021. The Government’s report now states this is being held up until at least February 2022.
Secondly, in its report, the Government has recorded articles 4(3) and 59 as ‘under review’ pending the evaluation and findings from the Support for Migrant Victims (SMV) Scheme, due to end in spring 2022. We share concerns raised by Southall Black Sisters, the Latin American Service for Women’s Rights, and End Violence Against Women Coalition about the scheme not being fit for purpose in the first place. Moreover, it is deeply troubling that, instead of seeking to address gaps in the system for the protection and support of migrant women based on the expertise of specialist services led ‘by and for’ Black and minoritised women, the Government is simply using this as its latest excuse to further defer ratification.
Time to ratify
The Government must help ensure protection for all survivors and set out a clear timetable for ratification.
We are calling on the Government to ratify by 8 June 2022, the 10-year anniversary of the UK signing the Convention.
The longer we wait for the Government to deliver on its promise, the more women’s lives are at risk and tragically lost or impacted by violence. We cannot afford to wait any longer.
How you can help
Please help to amplify the public call for ratification by:
1. Sign and share the petition.
2. Share this article on social media.
3. Tweet your MP to ask them to call on the UK government to ratify without delay.
Find your MP and their handle on Twitter via Tweet Your MP. Make sure you include the hashtag #IstanbulConvention, our Twitter handle @ICChangeUK, and our digital campaign board.
Here are some templates Tweet you can use/adapt:
.@[YOUR MP’S TWITTER HANDLE] I’m concerned the UK still hasn’t ratified the #IstanbulConvention 9+ years after signing it. As your constituent, I ask you to call on the Govt to ratify without delay to show they’re serious about tackling #ViolenceAgainstWomen. @ICChangeUK
Hi @[YOUR MP’S TWITTER HANDLE], I’m your constituent. Can I count on you to urge the Govt to ratify the #IstanbulConvention on #ViolenceAgainstWomen without delay? It has been 9 years since the UK signed the Convention. We can’t afford to wait any longer. @ICChangeUK
*Source: ONS, Homicide in England and Wales: year ending March 2020, 15 November 2021, Table 11b