Enjoy a musical journey of Survival, Healing and Empowerment on the 1st of March to support Aurora New Dawn!

Join Kelly Fuller and a host of musical theatre friends for an evening of songs and dances from Stage and Screen, including The Greatest Showman, Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, Rent, The Great Gatsby and many more.

Kelly has been raising funds for domestic abuse charities for many years and Titchfield Festival Theatre are delighted to be partnering her for this very special night.

From the creator of Being Alive, in aid of the domestic abuse charity Aurora New Dawn.

• When: Sunday 1st March 2026
• Doors Open: 6:00PM
• Starts: 7:00PM
• Where: Titchfield Festival Theatre – The Arden Theatre, Fareham, PO14 4BG

Book your tickets here!

The Armed Forces Bill marks a notable shift in how the Government intends to support personnel, veterans, and their families.

At Aurora New Dawn, we have spent nearly a decade delivering specialist services to victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking within Armed Forces communities. From our perspective, the Bill presents both welcome progress and clear challenges that must be addressed if these reforms are to deliver meaningful change on the ground.

The expansion of the Armed Forces Covenant duty across all public authorities is a significant step. For too long, victims and survivors have struggled within systems that did not fully grasp the complexities of military life. A consistent legal obligation on public services has the potential to close long-standing gaps in support, but only if it is implemented with genuine accountability and a real commitment to understanding the specific ways in which victims and survivors within these communities need support, rather than relying on symbolic intent.

We also recognise the potential impact of the new Defence Housing Service. Safe, stable accommodation is fundamental to the safety and recovery of victims and survivors, particularly those whose lives are shaped by mobility, isolation, and command structures. Enforceable housing standards and the right to a dedicated housing officer are welcome moves that could reduce the housing-related risks that too many Armed Forces families currently face.

The Bill’s strengthened approach to sexual harm, domestic abuse, and stalking is a long-overdue alignment with the protections already available in civilian contexts. We are pleased that service-specific protection orders will give victims clearer routes to safety, something we have long advocated for. However, these measures must be accompanied by training, cultural change, and leadership commitment if they are to be used confidently and consistently across the chain of command.

The introduction of improved rights for victims of service offences, alongside the establishment of the Armed Forces Commissioner, signals a shift towards greater transparency. Independent oversight is essential. Victims and survivors in Armed Forces settings repeatedly tell us that fear of repercussions, rank, or reputational damage continues to deter reporting. If the Government is serious about culture change, then independence must not only exist on paper but be visible, trusted, and properly resourced.

Aurora New Dawn stands ready to support the implementation of these reforms. But we will continue to hold the Government to account to ensure that the rights introduced in Westminster translate into safety, justice, and real-world protection for victims and survivors across the British Armed Forces.

Dr Shonagh Dillon LLB, DCrimJ
CEO – Aurora New Dawn

If you are an Armed Forces personnel or family member who has been affected by domestic abuse, you can contact our independent, confidential, and free helpline for advice and support.

Following the publication of the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy in December 2025, we have taken time to fully review and reflect on its contents. While the true measure of success will lie in its implementation – supported by consistent review, scrutiny, and accountability – we believe it is important to share our initial response.

We echo our colleagues at Women’s Aid in welcoming the overall ambition of the strategy. We are pleased to see a strong emphasis on prevention, alongside a clear commitment to the relentless pursuit of perpetrators. The proposed reforms to commissioning processes are long overdue, and we welcome opportunities to contribute to local and national discussions on how these systems can better serve victims and survivors in a holistic and trauma-informed way.

Despite this, significant gaps remain. We are especially concerned that some victims and survivors, particularly Black and minoritised women, continue to face discrimination due to the absence of adequate safeguards. In this regard, we wholeheartedly support the statement issued by Southall Black Sisters.

While we are encouraged that stalking is explicitly recognised within the strategy, we are disappointed that the Government has missed the opportunity to include all forms of men’s violence against women and girls. As highlighted by our colleagues at the Femicide Census, exploitation of women through prostitution is notably absent. Furthermore, as noted by the Femicide Census, the strategy provides insufficient focus on those with multiple and complex needs, as well as older and disabled women.

We are, however, particularly pleased to see the Government acknowledge the importance of strategic work within Armed Forces communities. When we began developing bespoke services for Armed Forces communities nine years ago, there was minimal national attention given to the unique barriers faced by victims and survivors within these settings. At that time, it felt unimaginable that a national VAWG strategy would not only recognise their needs but also confront the dynamics of power that perpetrators in these communities often exploit.

We are proud to be named in the strategy and pleased that our international Armed Forces helpline and WhatsApp service has been highlighted. Since launching our services nine years ago, our aim has been to create accessible, specialist support that responds directly to the unique experiences of victims and survivors in Armed Forces communities. We remain deeply grateful to our funders; however, it is important to note that our helpline – referenced in the strategy – is currently a two-year pilot, with funding due to end in March 2027.

Although we are committed to securing the continuation of this vital resource, it would be remiss of us not to highlight that we were not consulted during the development of the strategy. While we are proud to be included, having a seat at the table would have ensured that we highlighted that we are one of many small, specialist, independent organisations delivering innovative “by and for” services nationwide. We are pleased that our specific model with the Armed Forces has been recognised, but true recognition must be matched with long-term, sustainable funding for the specialist independent sector. Without this, services will close, and strategies, however ambitious, will fail to deliver for victims and survivors.

Dr Shonagh Dillon LLB, DCrimJ

CEO – Aurora New Dawn