International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2025: A Call for Legal Action and Accountability
Yesterday, 25th November 2025, marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a global and stark indication that gender based violence is still among the most persistent and far reaching human rights issues today. For the legal community, it is also a moment to reflect on how our laws, policies, and practice can better protect survivors and drive meaningful change.
Despite progress in many areas, significant gaps remain: inconsistent enforcement of protective orders, limited access to specialist support services, under reporting, and continued barriers within the justice system. As legal professionals, we play a crucial role in closing these gaps, whether through policy work, advocacy, litigation, or frontline support.
In 2025, the focus is increasingly on strengthening survivor centred legal frameworks. This includes adopting court protocols that prioritise survivor wellbeing and understanding of trauma, clearer statutory definitions of coercive and controlling behaviour, and improved cross agency collaboration to ensure that women are protected not just on paper, but in practice.
Law firms, in-house teams, and public bodies can all contribute by:
- Ensuring workplace policies genuinely support survivors
- Providing pro bono assistance to women’s rights organisations
- Delivering training on recognising signs of abuse and responding appropriately
- Championing legislative reform and accountability
Violence against women is not inevitable. It is preventable, and the law is one of the most powerful tools we have to drive that prevention.
At Greens, many of our staff provide pro bono assistance to many domestic abuse centres around the Midlands and further afield.
If we can help you, or someone you know, please call our specialist staff at our Birmingham Office, 0121 233 2042 or our Worcester office, 01905 347928.
