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Austerity and gender-based violence: insights from England and Wales

Author

Listed:
  • María Camila Jiménez Amaya

    (Gran Sasso Science Institute)

  • Daria Denti

    (Gran Sasso Science Institute)

  • Alessandra Faggian

    (Gran Sasso Science Institute)

Abstract

Weinvestigate the relationship between austerity-driven welfare cuts and gender based violence in England and Wales from 2006-2019. Using difference-in-differences andeventstudymethods,weexploitgeographicandtemporalvariationinexposureto the austerity welfare reform and construct a novel exposure measure from actual gov ernmentexpendituredata. Increasedexposuretowelfarecutsincreasedgender-based violence reporting, with effects emerging 2 years post-implementation and growing over time. Effects were nearly twice as large outside London (16.2% vs. 9.5%) and twice as large in deprived communities. Complementary analysis using victimisation data shows no corresponding increase in violence prevalence, indicating that higher reporting reflects changes in victims’ help-seeking behaviour rather than rising inci dence. As welfare support diminished, victims increasingly turned to police as their primary remaining avenue for assistance. The results underscore the importance of considering gendered effects in austerity and welfare policy reforms.

Suggested Citation

  • María Camila Jiménez Amaya & Daria Denti & Alessandra Faggian, 2026. "Austerity and gender-based violence: insights from England and Wales," Discussion Paper series in Regional Science & Economic Geography 2025-16, Gran Sasso Science Institute, Social Sciences, revised Feb 2026.
    • Handle: RePEc:ahy:wpaper:wp78
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs

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