Violence Against Women and Children

Violence happens in a range of settings - at home, on the street, on public transport - and within a range of relationships, from family members and partners to complete strangers. The vast majority of victims are women, every year hundreds of thousands of women and girls in London experience some form of violence including sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, stalking, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM) or 'honor' based violence. Victims may experience several forms of abuse at the same time; for example, forced marriage is a form of domestic violence that may involve sexual assault or rape and the threat of 'honor killing'. (London Mayors Strategy, The Way Forward, 2010)

Violence against women also impacts on children. Growing up exposed to domestic violence is linked to increased levels of attention deficit disorder, anxiety, stuttering and asthma; reduced educational attainment; increased involvement in anti-social behavior and street and playground violence. Most child maltreatment deaths take place in homes where domestic violence is also occurring. (London Mayors Strategy, The Way Forward, 2010)

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