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Violence against women and girls remains one of the most extensive human rights violations worldwide. It crosses borders, cultures, and social classes, affecting millions and continuing cycles of inequality and oppression. Despite global efforts to address this issue, it persists as a significant barrier to achieving gender equality and sustainable development. Understanding the Scope of the Problem The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that 1 in 3 women globally has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, most often at the hands of an intimate partner. Additionally, practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and human trafficking disproportionately affect girls and women, stripping them of their rights and opportunities. Violence takes many forms, including: Physical violence , such as assault and domestic abuse. Sexual violence , including rape, sexual assault, and harassment. Emotional and psychological abuse ,...

  Introduction Children’s social care plays a transformative role in improving lives by supporting families, helping children thrive, and offering opportunities for the best life outcomes. It empowers extended families to participate in a child’s upbringing and provides safe, high-quality placements for children unable to stay at home, aiding recovery from trauma, abuse, and neglect. Additionally, it supports the wellbeing of disabled children and their families through early help, short breaks, and long-term care plans. Overview The government prioritises keeping children with their families whenever possible, using evidence-based approaches such as family group decision-making and multi-agency child protection teams to prevent unnecessary entry into the care system. Where care is necessary, kinship and foster placements are favoured over residential care, particularly for children in complex circumstances. Efforts aim to reform the care market by ending exploitative profit-ma...

Updated May 2024 Introduction Criminal exploitation involving children, young people, and vulnerable adults in drug supply and transportation of money and weapons severely impacts victims, families, and communities. Often, those in a position to notice this exploitation do not recognise it. This guidance aims to clarify the nature of such harm, helping practitioners identify its signs and respond effectively to provide necessary protection and support to victims and potential victims. Who is the Guidance for? This guidance is primarily aimed at frontline staff in England and Wales who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This includes professionals working in: • education; • health; • adult social care, children’s social care and early help/family support; • housing; • the benefits system; • policing; • prisons, probation and youth justice; • multi-agency partnerships; and • related partner organisations, for example in the voluntary sector.   What is County Line...