If the Istanbul Convention had been made law when it was signed, Gaia might still be alive today. It is in her memory and to save lives like hers that we are proud to join this coalition.

Gaia was a beloved daughter, sister and friend. She was bright, creative and kind. She was also a survivor of sexual violence who was let down by the state. Like countless others, she was denied access to justice and appropriate support and the impact of this was devastating. Gaia was in and out of hospital, her voice unheard and her needs ignored. In November 2017 she disappeared and by the time she was found eleven days later, she had died of hypothermia. She was 19 years old.

The change we need to bring justice for Gaia and survivors like her is radical and far reaching. It is because we need systemic change across criminal justice, education and healthcare that nothing less than the Istanbul Convention will do.

Gaia’s story connects with so many people because it illustrates the most deadly consequences of a system that is failing all of us. Prosecutions have collapsed so completely that rape has effectively been decriminalised and support services have been decimated by a decade of austerity cuts. While minoritised Black, queer, trans and migrant survivors are hardest hit, the present system denies justice to all of us.

Britain must now establish minimum standards in law for supporting survivors and preventing abuse. By providing this comprehensive legal framework, the Istanbul Convention offers our movement the chance to build a Britain where every survivor is protected, respected and heard.

We stand alongside IC Change in calling the UK Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention without delay.