ANNUAL
REPORT
2024/25
entre for Women's Justice
VVJ
**08 Strategic report**
**09 22 24 25 25 26**
**27 Independent auditors report**
## **CONTENTS**
**04 Key information**
**06 Introduction**
**Achievements The year ahead Financial review Fundraising practice Reserves policy Trustees responsibility statement**
**Our mission: To hold the state to account and challenge discrimination in the justice system around male violence against women and girls.**
## **Our vision:**
**32 Statement of financial activities**
**33 STATEMENT of financial position 34 Statement OF CASH-FLOW**
**A society in which all state institutions work effectively to eradicate male violence against women and girls.**
**35 Notes to financial statement**
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## **KEY INFORMATION**
Centre for Women’s Justice Oxford House Derbyshire Street London E2 6HG www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk info@centreforwomensjustice.org.uk
**Banker:** CafBank Limited, PO BOX 289, West Malling ME19 4TA
**Auditors:** Ellis Lloyd Jones Audit Limited, 11 Park Square, Newport, NP20 4EL
## **Structure, Governance & Management:**
Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation under Charity number: 1169213.
The charity is governed by the Board of Trustees (whose members during the year are listed below). The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the management of all the affairs of CWJ and delegate day!to!day management of the organisation to the Director, Harriet Wistrich, who is assisted by Nic Mainwood, Head of Finance and Operations.
## **Board Members**
Sasha Deepwell (Chair) Fiona Mackenzie (Treasurer, resigned September ‘25) Sanchita Hosali (Treasurer from September ‘25) Sarah Ricca Esohe Aghatise Samira Ahmed Davina James-Hanman Heather Harvey (resigned March ‘25) Janice Turner (resigned Sept ‘24) Karon Monaghan (appointed June ‘24) Yasmin Rehman (appointed September ‘25)
subcommittee meetings comprising Sasha Deepwell and Sanchita Hosali, chaired by the Treasurer, Fiona Mackenzie.
Due diligence is carried out before the appointment of all new board members. New trustees are given a board pack which includes key information about the organisation as well as important policies and procedures. Training is offered to board members according to their needs.
Pay and renumeration of all personnel is awarded in line with our pay policy and procedure.
Major risks faced by the charity have been reviewed, and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks.
## **Objectives & Activities:**
The charity is operated under the rules of its constitution adopted 17/03/2016.
## Appointment of charity trustees:
CWJ recruits trustees in line with its formal Trustee Recruitment Policy, which sets out a clear and transparent process for identifying and selecting suitable candidates. Recruitment begins with understanding the skills and experience needed on the board, followed by sourcing potential trustees through trusted networks and specialist contacts. Candidates are then assessed through applications, interviews, and due-diligence checks to ensure they reflect CWJ’s values and strengthen its governance.
of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
To advance the human rights of women and girls in England and Wales (as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent United Nations conventions and declarations) by: seeking to prevent violence against women and girls, and protect those rights which are adversely impacted by violence against women and girls; and the elimination of discrimination against women and girls in the criminal justice system.
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been, or may in the future be, subject to male violence. We assist with providing access to justice for those who have been failed by the state and subject to discriminatory treatment within the criminal justice system.
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2) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experiences needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, ‘Charities and Public Beneft’.
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**Sasha DeepwellSasha Deepwell** a
## **Introduction**
## **Harriet wistrich, Sasha deepwell, CEO chair**
In July 2024, a new Labour Government was elected with an ambitious aim to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. We have seen this as an opportunity to work closely with Ministers to help achieve policy and legislative changes to advance our mission. In the autumn I was invited to sit on their VAWG strategy advisory group, which included leaders of other national women’s organisations. One of the government’s manifesto pledges was to introduce Independent Legal Advice for rape victims a model we have been piloting in partnership with Women and Girls Network. At the conclusion of this financial year we are still waiting for any concrete proposals from the government in this area.
Our work around Police Perpetrated Domestic Violence led to the publication of an update report following our impactful police super-complaint and the continuation of two large group strategic litigation claims on behalf of victims of PPDA. We have recruited a new senior lawyer with expertise in public law and look forward to expanding
our litigation work in this area. We were also pleased to finally secure insurance to enable us to start advising some of the many women who contact us who have been convicted of murder in cases where they were victims of male violence. This will also assist our work in preparation for the important Law Commission review of the law of homicide.
Our team remains strong and committed during a period where we face many challenges externally from the difficult economic and political situation both in the UK and globally but we continue to consolidate and build an effective and impactful organisation that has made a significant mark on the VAWG landscape. Next year we look forward to celebrating our tenth anniversary and launching our impact report.
This year has reinforced the importance of Centre for Women’s Justice’s work. Across the justice system, persistent issues remain - from delays in rape investigations to the criminalisation of victims of abuse and further evidence of police-perpetrated violence. These systemic problems, alongside ongoing threats to human rights protections, remind us why our mission matters and why our voice must remain strong.
As trustees, our role is to ensure CWJ has the stability and strength to meet these challenges. While the funding landscape continues to be uncertain and demand for our work grows, CWJ is in a strong position thanks to careful planning and the resilience of our team. This year, we completed a review of our pay structure to ensure fairness and transparency, and we continue to prioritise staff well-being and professional development. We want CWJ to be a place where people feel valued, supported, and able to grow - because investing in our people is investing in the future of this organisation.
Through our internships, mentoring, training, and collaborative networks, CWJ is helping to shape the next generation of feminist lawyers - individuals who will carry forward the fight for equality and justice. It is also encouraging that CWJ continues to be called upon by the media and changemakers for our expertise and insight, ensuring that survivors’ voices and systemic issues remain at the forefront of public debate.
As we look ahead to our tenth anniversary, I feel proud of what CWJ has achieved and excited for what’s to come. Our new three-year strategy will set out bold plans for systemic change, and as trustees we will do everything we can to ensure the charity has the resources and governance it needs to thrive. Thank you to our incredible staff, my fellow trustees, and all our supporters - you make this work possible.
**Harriet Wistrich6**
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## **Strategic REPORT**
## **ACHIEVEMENTS:**
## **Strategic litigation**
## **Undertaking strategic litigation and providing access to legal assistance in cases concerning violence against women and girls (VAWG).**
CWJ bring challenges that have the potential to impact on how the state deals with perpetrators and survivors of violence against women and girls. These cases help develop and strengthen the rights of women across a broad spectrum of issues.
evolved through our advice work and in partnership with women sector organisations.
Litigation can take many years – below we highlight some key cases that have attracted wider public interest over the year of this annual report.
## **Police Perpetrated Domestic Abuse (PPDA)**
We have continued with the two large group claims on behalf of victims of police perpetrated domestic abuse. The first includes a group claim on behalf of nine women against Devon and Cornwall Police arguing their system for preventing, investigating and prosecuting PPDA is so flawed that it breaches their human rights. We also continue acting for eight victims of David Carrick in a claim against the Metropolitan Police Service, who, whilst a serving Met police officer, subjected our clients to serious domestic and sexual abuse. In both group claims, in addition to claims for compensation, our clients are seeking changes to policies and practices in order to protect other women from future harm.
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## **Successful settlement against CPS in ‘Sexsomnia’ case**
We assisted Jade Blue to secure £35,000 and an apology from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) after they wrongly stopped a rape prosecution two weeks before trial. Jade had reported a rape to the police in 2017 which was investigated and charged, but three years later shortly before the trial was set to begin, the CPS offered no further evidence and the defendant was formally acquitted. The reason, Jade was told, was that they could not rule out the possibility of Jade having a rare sleep disorder, ‘sexsomnia’, which may have led the defendant to believe she was consenting to sex, whilst in fact she was asleep. This defence was only raised after the defence team gained access to Jade’s medical records which revealed that Jade had a couple of episodes of sleepwalking when a teenager.
Jade pursued a Victim’s Right of Review (VRR), which eventually led to the CPS conceding they had made a ‘significant error’ in discontinuing the prosecution at such a late stage when the evidence should have been left to the jury for consideration. With CWJ’s assistance Jade set out and eventually settled a claim against the CPS under the Human Rights Act, that her rights under Article 3 ECHR had been violated when she was denied access to justice.
Jade had continued to push for change. Her case is one of a number that CWJ presented to the Attorney General arguing that victims of rape should have meaningful access to the VRR scheme where a CPS decision is made following charge to offer no evidence. As a consequence of these representations, the CPS announced a pilot scheme which will provide the opportunity for a victim to challenge and possibly potentially reverse a decision to end a prosecution.
## **Hidden homicides and suicides as a consequence of male violence**
CWJ is currently acting for a number of families in circumstances where a young woman has died in suspicious circumstances, following domestic abuse and/or violent threats from a man, but no criminal action has been taken against the suspect, and the death has ultimately been treated as accident or suicide.
_Campaigners estimate there may be as many as 130 ‘hidden homicides’ each year in England and Wales_
The issue of ‘hidden homicides’, which often involve women falling to their death from a height, has recently received _England and Wales_ wider public attention, Groups such as the Killed Women campaign estimating that there could be as many as 130 ‘hidden homicides’ a year in England and Wales. Police and/or prosecutors may decide that such deaths are accidental or the result of suicide, despite evidence of a history of domestic abuse from a male partner who was present at the scene. Campaigners have highlighted the failure of police to follow key lines of inquiry that might result in a perpetrator being properly interrogated.
We also act for families of women who have died by suicide following violence and/or coercive and controlling behaviour by their partner, that may have driven them to take their own life. In such cases, it may be possible to charge the perpetrator with unlawful act manslaughter if it is possible to show that the violence, or coercive and controlling behaviour, more than minimally contributed to her death. We assist families in these cases through domestic homicide reviews, police complaints and, inquest proceedings.
## **R v Nuruzzaman Shahin – civil claim against Met police started**
_“This pilot is an important first step. It can’t undo the harm already done to victims like me, but it’s real, tangible progress - and I hope it marks the beginning of a fairer system, one where victims’ voices are not just heard, but acted on.”_ Jade Blue
Following the successful prosecution of Nuruzzaman Shahin, who was convicted of 22 offences - including eight counts of rape, multiple counts of sexual assault, assault by penetration, and controlling prostitution for gain in respect of four women - for which he received a 31-year custodial sentence. CWJ are advising two of his victims, ‘Sam’ and ‘Audrey’, in a claim against the Metropolitan Police arising from their initial and longrunning failure to investigate Shahin, which left victims unprotected and resulted in one of the women undertaking her own investigation. The claim alleges breaches of their rights under Articles 3, 4, 8 and 14 of the European Conventions on Human Rights in respect of the police’s failures during the criminal investigation(s) into their perpetrator’s unlawful conduct.
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## **Case against MI5 for failure to safeguard victim of abuse by informer**
CWJ have been acting for ‘Beth’ in a complex case concerning serious allegations of abuse perpetrated by her former partner, an informer for MI5. ‘Beth’ suffered repeated and escalating violence during the course of the relationship, including a machete attack, which was met with inaction by the police despite her making multiple reports and providing evidence.
We commenced proceedings in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) arguing that MI5 failed in its obligations under Articles 2, 3, 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights by recruiting and failing to control a dangerous perpetrator. MI5 argued that, due to its policy of “Neither Confirm Nor Deny” (NCND), Beth should not be provided with disclosure, preventing her from meaningful participation in the proceedings. The IPT accepted MI5’s submissions, and CWJ issued judicial review proceedings against the IPT. In linked proceedings in the High Court, involving an injunction issued by the Attorney General to prevent the BBC from reporting on the case, it was revealed that MI5 misled the courts about its application of the NCND policy.
independent investigation into MI5’s serious misleading of the courts and raising the possibility of future contempt proceedings against the agency. The Court also ruled that if public authorities wish to rely on NCND in legal proceedings, they must demonstrate a genuine risk to national security, properly evidence that application, and be upfront and candid about any information that might undermine it.
_“Beth’s case raises a number of serious questions about the state’s protection - whether intentionally or through neglect - of individuals with extreme misogynistic views who pose a clear risk of violence to women and girls. The situation highlights a systemic failure to recognize the danger these individuals represent and, most troublingly, the failure to act before it’s too late.”_ Kate Ellis, CWJ solicitor
_and degradation I was subjected to that night there would have been no question as to their guilt. So to understand as long as they rape you too, they can claim you consented to your own abuse horrifies me._
_horrific effects of reliving this again and again because I cannot and will not accept for my daughters and all women that this is ok. It is not ok.“_
Amanda
## **Rough Sex Defence overcome after six year battle for Justice**
CWJ supported ‘Amanda’ through a long and nightmarish criminal process, during which she had to reply on the Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) process a total of four times before the case against her rapist eventually went to trial. The perpetrator, Paul Green, had asserted that she had consented to “rough sex” as part of BDSM. Following a trial which resulted in a ‘hung jury’, a second trial took place at Sheffield Crown Court, where the perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment for anal rape, assault by penetration, and two counts of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
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## **Empowering frontline service providers & improving access to justice**
**We provide training and second-tier legal advice to front-line women’s sector service providers supporting victimThis year we: survivors of VAWG across England and Wales.**
## **received to our resource 2704 hub visits**
By increasing access to justice for survivors who have been failed by criminal justice agencies, our work also enables us to gather evidence of systemic failings and malpractice. This evidence informs strategic litigation and other legal and policy interventions aimed at holding institutions accountable and driving change in law, policy, and practice.
Through our training, we equip front-line advocates to identify cases requiring legal advice and to support women in challenging criminal justice failures.
## **trained 3914 visits to our advocate signposting page 390 frontline Advocates**
The majority of second-tier enquiries we receive are from front-line VAWG organisations we have trained, though a small number are referred to us by politicians, journalists, lawyers, and others.
**responded to** To further assist frontline advocates we provide access to our password protected resource hub which contains CWJ toolkits, template letters and guides on Victims’ Rights to Review, Police Complaints System, and other **354** relevant areas. **second-tier** Additionally, we provide easy to access information and **enquiries**
Additionally, we provide easy to access information and signposting materials on different areas of law on our website. This consists of a section aimed at frontline advocates and other professionals, and another which is for the general public.
**8471visits to our public signposting page**
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## **Frontline feedback**
## **survivor feedback**
## **on training**
“The facilitator was very engaging and clearly passionate about her role.” Independent Sexual Violence Advocate
“Have attended two training sessions by CWJ and found both extremely to the point and informative - thank you” Independent Sexual Violence Advocate
“Our trainer was excellent. She was so informative, and the pace of the delivery and content of the course was excellent.” Independent Sexual Violence Advocate
## **on advice**
“I cannot express my gratitude enough to you all, I have come to you many times for help but this time the help you provided quite literally saved a woman’s life, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know you know, how invaluable your work is at CWJ but on occasions like this where the stakes are so high - not only in the sense that a woman is unfairly criminalised but on top of that her life is at stake, it’s so important (I think) you know how powerful your work is”
seeking to make things better for others, and for your advocacy in the early stages setting the ground work for the letter. Thank you all for ‘being there’ when I was barraged with unsettling demands / requests for information to enable me to make positive choices and string a sensible response sentence to the police when needed (which I recognise was often)” Victim-survivor
“We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to all of you. You were the first to truly believe in us and in what we were saying, when no one else did. Your empathy, kindness, and unwavering support have meant the world to us. Your dedication, kindness, and tireless efforts in fighting our case have meant so much to us. Thank you for standing by us, for always being so compassionate, and for giving us hope and strength when we needed it most. “ Two victim-survivors
Independent Sexual Violence Advocate
“I am so thankful for all the help and support! You have been informative and patient throughout the process and helping me assist my client. I cannot thank you enough. This service is brilliant and truly beneficial for women, especially dealing with the Criminal Justice System!”
“I want to thank you for all your hard work, I cannot express how much I appreciate having you fighting my corner. “ Victim-survivor
Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocate
- “The legal advice we have been able to source via CWJ for our clients has honestly been transformative, such a powerful and important way to empower women and make a concrete difference to their circumstances.”
Independent Sexual Violence Advocate Manager
“I’d like to express my overwhelming sense of gratitude to [you] both ...for making me feel so seen, heard, and believed in the last few weeks in a way I haven’t experienced in the last four years. Each time I hear from you both, I struggle to put into words how thankful I am for your support.“ Victim-survivor
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## **Legal projects & policy initiatives**
**We are undertaking a number of projects dealing with particular issues arising for women, which, in turn, feeds into our litigation and policy advocacy work.**
## **Criminal appeals**
This year, CWJ has been able to commence advising women in relation to potential criminal appeals after our insurer finally confirmed that we were covered for this type of work in cases where the appellant offended in the context of being a victim of domestic abuse. We have begun to review a number of cases in which women have been convicted of the murder of their violent partners. Previously, our Director, Harriet Wistrich, acted in the successful appeals of Sally Challen and Farieissia Martin, which were supported by campaigning from CWJ. As a result of these cases and our 2021 report, we are approached by many women convicted of murder seeking our assistance. These cases highlight women at the mosr severe end of a criminal justice system that fails to understand the dynamics of domestic abuse.
CWJ has also started convening a criminal appeals networking group of lawyers and campaigners focused on cases of women convicted of murder. We meet every six weeks and discuss issues and cases, including preparation for the Law Commission review on homicide and criminal appeals.
## **International Feminist Legal Network**
In July 2024, we convened a day-long hybrid conference, ‘A Feminist Approach to Legal Advocacy and Litigation Internationally’. The event, attended by 153 people from 20 countries, included sessions on femicide, honour killing, and suicide arising from domestic abuse; using defamation to silence victims of abuse; and torture as genderbased violence, among other topics.
We have a specialist consultant working on an analysis of the network’s impact so far and scoping potential new hosts, with the hope of the network being hosted by an organisation outside the UK in the near future.
## **Police perpetrated domestic abuse**
In September 2024, we published our followup report to our police super-complaint **‘Police Perpetrated Domestic Abuse: Has anything really changed since the 2020 super-complaint’**
_“Far too many police officers escape sanction despite multiple allegations of abuse, with some even promoted to roles policing rape and domestic abuse.”_
This report draws on the accounts of some of the 200 victim-survivors who contacted us following the super-complaint and tracks the deluge of reports, investigations, inspections, and inquiries undertaken since the scale—and scandal—of police violence towards women was exposed.
The report found there is still ample evidence that far too many police officers escape sanction despite multiple allegations of abuse, with some rising through the ranks and even being promoted to roles with responsibility for policing rape and domestic abuse. Many women reported that the officer they accused attempted to criminalise them, while others manipulated family law proceedings for revenge.
The report attracted national media coverage and responses from the College of Policing, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the Police Federation of England and Wales. We are now exploring legislative and other reforms highlighted in our recommendations.
## **Independent legal advice for rape survivors**
The independent legal advice service run jointly with Women and Girls Network has now completed its first year, and funding has been secured for a second year, with the aim of bridging the gap until a national scheme for independent legal advice for rape survivors is established. In year one, the scheme assisted 141 survivors on 164 legal matters, and a very positive evaluation report by an academic is to be published shortly. There was a high level of demand, with the service having to close at various points during the year due to capacity constraints. A new barrister and paralegal have been recruited for year two. CWJ continues to provide legal training, supervision, and input into the strategic direction for the project.
_“In its first year, the service assisted_ _**141** survivors on_ _**164** legal matters, highlighting the urgent need for accessible independent legal advice.”_
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## **Femicide working group**
We continue to host bi-monthly meetings for lawyers and specialist practitioners working on the issue of femicide. Over the last year, topics addressed have included the Assisted Dying Bill and its implications for women in domestic abuse situations, ‘Fallen Women’, a campaign concerning women who fall from heights when abusive partners are present, and posthumous prosecutions of perpetrators following suicides in the context of domestic abuse.
## **Keep counselling confidential**
## **Raising awareness**
**As well as our legal work and policy reform, CWJ also raises awareness of state violence against women and girls through appearances on television, radio, podcasts and quotes in press. During the last 12 months, CWJ has featured in the media on at least 130 occasions including all national newspapers and news outlets.**
In April 2024, we celebrated the Government’s climbdown and acceptance of an amendment tabled by Baroness Bertin in the Victims and Prisoners Bill, aimed at keeping counselling records for rape victims confidential. This followed a campaign run jointly by CWJ, EVAW, Rights of Women, and Rape Crisis.
## **criminalisation of victims of male violence**
Led by CWJ consultant Katy Swaine Williams, we have continued to push for legislative and practice reforms to counter the criminalisation of victims of domestic abuse, tabling amendments in Parliament and meeting with the NPCC lead on female offending as well as with policy leads, including the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Crown Prosecution Service.
_“CWJ continues to push for legislative and practice reforms to counter the criminalisation of victims of domestic abuse.”_
In July 2024, we welcomed the publication of an Independent Inquiry report by Dame Vera Baird KC, which examined the terrible experiences of women and girls in police custody following arrests by Greater Manchester Police. CWJ contributed analysis to the report based on our own evidence from work around the criminalisation of victims of domestic abuse.
CWJ’s founder and CEO Harriet Wistrich appeared on the popular ‘BBC Radio 4 series Desert Island Discs ,in January 2025. Harriet spoke about her professional and personal life and selected songs to soundtrack pivotal moments.
In October 2024, the charity Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize (EHMP) made the difficult decision to close. We have partnered with EHMP over the last few years to run the prize ceremony, and while it is sad to see the charity go, we are delighted to be able to take over the administration of the prize and keep its legacy alive. We hope to continue the prize in the spirit in which it was originally established.
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## **The year ahead:**
Stacey’s case has long been emblematic of the injustices faced by women who kill in the context of male violence. At just 17, Stacey was jailed for life for the murder of her friend’s violent boyfriend, who was attacking her at the time. Our CEO, Harriet Wistrich, supported by colleagues at Justice for Women, represented Stacey in her successful appeal against conviction in 2014. She was acquitted at retrial on the grounds of self-defence.
However, Stacey’s experience of male violence and suffering a miscarriage of justice - alongside five years served in prison - left her particularly vulnerable, and she struggled with life after release. Her story is a stark reminder of why our work remains so vital.
We will publish our impact report and launch a new three-year strategy. The impact report will provide a comprehensive overview of all that we have achieved since our formation in 2016, and the new strategy will set out how we will drive forward systemic change and justice for women.
We are also deeply concerned about proposals to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) or repeal the Human Rights Act. These protections have been critical in advancing the rights of women and girls subjected to male violence - driving profound legislative and procedural reforms that help victims of rape, trafficking, and state failures secure justice and hold authorities accountable. CWJ will use our voice and influence to highlight the dangers of dismantling these protections and to ensure the public understands what is at stake.
This year, we are ramping up efforts to challenge the criminalisation of women who have killed abusive men. We will launch a powerful new film that shines a light on these injustices and amplifies survivors’ voices. Alongside this, we are drawing on our evidence base to submit recommendations to the Law Commission’s review of the Law of Homicide. Our submission will highlight the urgent need for reforms that ensure the law properly reflects the context of abuse in cases where women kill - whether in self-defence or as a consequence of prolonged coercive and controlling behaviour, sexual violence and other forms of male violence.
We will also draw on our expertise in police-perpetrated domestic abuse (PPDA) to submit evidence to the Angiolini Inquiry, ensuring that survivors’ experiences inform recommendations for systemic change.
In addition, we are working with Cambridge Rape Crisis, Rape Crisis England & Wales, and Bindmans Solicitors to submit a new police super-complaint. This complaint addresses the systemic failure by police forces across the country to progress investigations into rape and other serious sexual offences - where delays now routinely exceed three years and, in many cases, run beyond seven years. These delays have devastating impacts on survivors trapped in the system and amount to a breach of the UK’s obligations under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Our data shows that over 20,000 police investigations have not been completed within three years in the past decade, with many taking considerably longer.
The government’s long-overdue VAWG strategy, which sets out how ministers plan to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, has now been published and CWJ will continue to hold the government to account on this commitment.
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## **Financial review**
During the year ended 31st March 2025, the charity received income totalling £987,289 (2024: £785,518). The income consisted of donations and grants receivable of £772,676 (2024: £646,243) and income from charitable activities of £213,653 (2024: £138,261). £687,832 (2024: £648,125) of the income was unrestricted and £299,457 (2024: £137,393) was restricted.
The expenditure for the year consisted of unrestricted costs of £597,366 (2024: £535,100) and restricted costs of £201,325 (2024: £256,985), totalling £798,691 (2024: £792,085).
This resulted in a surplus on unrestricted reserves of £90,466 (2024: surplus of £112,856) and a surplus on restricted reserves of £98,132 (2024: deficit £119,423). At 31 March 2025, reserves totalled £680,353 consisting of £439,143 unrestricted reserves and £241,210 restricted reserves.
Details of the various restricted funds can be found in note 17.
## **Fundraising practice**
The Director of Finance and Operations continues to lead on fundraising, overseeing all activities including the organisation of fundraising events and coordination of supporterled initiatives on behalf of CWJ. We do not use professional fundraisers or involve commercial participators, and we remain committed to ensuring that all fundraising is carried out ethically and transparently.
CWJ is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and complies fully with the Code of Fundraising Practice. All direct marketing is overseen by the Director of Finance and Operations to ensure it is neither intrusive nor persistent. Every piece of marketing material includes clear instructions on how individuals can opt out of future communications, and we handle all personal data in accordance with GDPR requirements.
We are proud to report that there have been no complaints regarding our fundraising activities during this year or in previous years. Trustees maintain oversight of fundraising through regular reporting and review, ensuring that our approach reflects our values and prioritises respect for donors and supporters.
Like many charities, CWJ continues to face risks that could affect our ability to achieve our objectives. The biggest ongoing challenge is the continuity and availability of grants and donations.
Our work relies heavily on these funding streams, and any reduction would impact our financial stability. Whilst the financial outlook for this year is positive, the lack of regular, secured income—such as multi-year grants—makes long-term planning difficult and can leave us operating in a somewhat hand-to-mouth way. To manage this, we are focused on maintaining strong, transparent relationships with our existing donors and funders, meeting and exceeding grant requirements, and continuing to implement our donor stewardship strategy. We are also exploring ways to increase earned income and actively monitoring the funding landscape to identify opportunities that align with our mission. This proactive approach helps us respond quickly to changes and supports the long-term sustainability of our work.
## **Reserves policy**
The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to respond to applications for grants and ensure that support and governance costs are covered.
For the year ending March 2025, it was agreed that our reserves level be set at £194,000.
climate and the availability of grant funding. With competition for resources increasing across the sector, we remain vigilant in our financial planning and fundraising efforts. Our risk management policy and regularly updated risk register help us stay on top of emerging challenges and maintain resilience and adaptability in uncertain times.
set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019.
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## **Trustees responsibility Independent Auditor’s statement Report to the Members** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial **’** statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). **of Centre for Women s** Charity law in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources for that period. **Justice**
- Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
- • Observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; • Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. This enables them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust Deed. Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
## **Year ended 31 march 2025**
## **Opinion**
for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
Signed on behalf of the board by:
## Sanchita Hosali
Sanchita Hosali (Jan 29, 2026 09:29:40 GMT) Sasha Deepwell (Jan 29, 2026 09:44:26 GMT) 29/01/2026 29/01/2026 Sanchita Hosali Sasha Deepwell Trustee Trustee
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
**26**
**27**
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- the information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
- adequate accounting records have not been kept; or
going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
- returns; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
##
as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
**28**
**29**
compliance with laws and regulations and we considered the extent to which noncompliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements. We evaluated management and trustees’ incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to manipulate financial performance and misappropriation of assets. Audit procedures performed included:
- discussions with management and trustees, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud;
- reviewing relevant meeting minutes of those charged with governance;
- performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected variances;
- identifying and reviewing journal entries to ensure that we understood the reasoning behind them and agreeing that they were appropriate;
- selecting a sample of transactions and tracing to documentation to establish that they are bonafide business transactions; and
audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control.
- evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees.
- conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern.
- including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
## **Use of our report**
- designing audit procedures to incorporate unpredictability around the nature, timing or extent of our testing.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
- whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
- obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design
This report is made solely to the charity’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
## Kara Williams
Kara Williams (Jan 29, 2026 11:05:29 GMT)
Kara Williams BSc BFP FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Ellis Lloyd Jones Audit Limited Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 11 Park Square Newport South Wales NP20 4EL 29/01/2026 Date ………………………..
**30**
**31**
## **Statement of financial activities**
**Year ended 31 march 2025**
|**Note**
**Income and endowments**
Donations & legacies
**4**
Charitable activities
**5**
Investment income
**6**
**Total income**
**Expenditure**
Expenditure on charitable
activities
**7,8**
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure) and**
**net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|Unrestricted
funds
**£**
473,219
213,653
960
687,832
597,366
597,366
90,466
348,677
439,143|Restricted
funds
**£**
299,457
-
-
299,457
201,325
201,325
98,132
143,078
241,210
**2025**|**Total funds**
**£**
772,676
213,653
960
987,289
798,691
798,691
188,598
491,755
680,353|2024
Total funds
£
646,243
138,261
1,014|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||785,518|
|||||792,085|
|||||792,085|
|||||(6,567)|
|||||498,322|
|||||491,755|
)e%r.All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
## **Statement of financial position**
## **31 march 2025**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets
**13**
**Current assets**
Debtors
**14**
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**15**
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity**
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
**Total charity funds**
**17**|**2025**
**£**
7,531
207,125
517,177
724,302
51,480
672,822
680,353
680,353
241,210
439,143
680,353|2024
£
6,377
158,187
392,697|
|---|---|---|
|||550,884
65,506|
|||485,378|
|||491,755|
|||491,755|
|||143,078
348,677|
|||491,755|
issue on , and are signed on behalf of the board by:29/01/2026
Sanchita Hosali Sanchita Hosali (Jan 29, 2026 09:29:40 GMT) Sanchita Hosali Trustee
Sasha Deepwell (Jan 29, 2026 09:44:26 GMT) Sasha Deepwell Trustee
**32**
**33**
## **Statement of Cash flows**
## **Year ended 31 march 2025**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **Year ended 31 march 2025**
## **1. General information**
|Net income/(expenditure)
_Adjustments for:_
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Other interest receivable and similar income
Accrued (income)/expenses
_Changes in:_
Trade and other debtors
Trade and other creditors
Cash generated from operations
Interest received
Net cash from operating activities
Purchase of tangible assets
Net cash used in investing activities
**Net increase in cash and cash equivalents**
**Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year**
**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
**Cash flows from investing activities**|**2025**
**£**
188,598
3,638
(960)
(5,957)
(48,938)
(8,069)
128,312
960
129,272
(4,792)
(4,792)
124,480
392,697
517,177|2024
£
(6,567)
3,783
(1,014)
9,972
(677)
15,505|
|---|---|---|
|||21,002
1,014|
|||22,016|
|||(4,218)|
|||(4,218)|
|||17,798
374,899|
|||392,697|
and is a charitable incorporated organisation. The address of the principal office is Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London, E2 6HG.
## **2. Statement of compliance**
Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.
and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
## **3. Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparation**
by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The presentational currency is pound sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity. The figures in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest pound.
**34**
**35**
## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)**
## **3. accounting policies (continued)**
## **Going concern**
There are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity’s purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
## **Incoming resources**
entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
- income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably
- legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
- income from contracts for the supply of services is dependent on the outcome of cases and is only recognised when it is virtually certain. This income is classified as unrestricted income, unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case, it may be regarded as restricted
## **Resources expended**
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
- expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods
- expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity
beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
- other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
## **Operating leases**
Lease payments are recognised as an expense over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The aggregate benefit of lease incentives is recognised as a reduction to expense over the lease term, on a straight-line basis.
## **Tangible assets**
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
## **Depreciation**
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Equipment - 25% straight line
##
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
**36**
**37**
## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)**
## **3. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **Financial instruments**
party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
## **4. Donations and legacies**
|Donations
Grants receivable
Donations
Grants receivable
**Donations**
**Grants**
**Donations**
**Grants**|Unrestricted
Funds
£
125,969
347,250
473,219
Unrestricted
Funds
£
257,850
251,000
508,850|Restricted
Funds
£
42,136
257,321
299,457
Restricted
Funds
£
30,669
106,724
137,393|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
168,105
604,571|
|---|---|---|---|
||||772,676|
||||Total Funds
2024
£
288,519
357,724|
||||646,243|
##
in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
## **5. Charitable activities**
|Other income from charitable activities|Unrestricted
Funds
£
213,653|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
213,653|Unrestricted
Funds
£
138,261|Total Funds
2024
£
138,261|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **6. Investment income**
|Bank interest receivable|Unrestricted
Funds
£
960|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
960|Unrestricted
Funds
£
1,014|Total Funds
2024
£
1,014|
|---|---|---|---|---|
**38**
**39**
**2025** 2024 **£** £ Fees payable for the audit of the financial statements 11,160 9,350
## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)**
## **10. Auditors remuneration**
## **7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type**
|Support costs
Support costs
Advancing the human rights of women and girls in England and
Wales, as detailed in the objectives and activities on page 3
Advancing the human rights of women and girls in England and
Wales, as detailed in the objectives and activities on page 3|Unrestricted
Funds
£
584,205
13,161
597,366
Unrestricted
Funds
£
524,052
11,048
535,100|Restricted
Funds
£
201,325
-
201,325
Restricted
Funds
£
256,985
-
256,985|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
785,530
13,161|
|---|---|---|---|
||||798,691|
||||Total Funds
2024
£
781,037
11,048|
||||792,085|
## **8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type**
|Governance costs
Advancing the human rights of women and girls
in England and Wales, as detailed in the
objectives and activities on page 3|Activities
undertaken
directly
£
785,530
-
785,530|Support
Costs
£
-
13,161
13,161|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
785,530
13,161
798,691|Total Funds
2024
£
781,037
11,048
792,085|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **11. Staff costs**
follows:
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Employer contributions to pension plans|**2025**
**£**
522,788
48,673
21,379
592,840|2024
£
456,087
41,074
14,767|
|---|---|---|
|||511,928|
The average head count of employees during the year was 16 (2024: 14).
During the year there were an average of 7 part time employees (2024: 6), as a result the average full time equivalent head count during the year was 14 (2024: 12).
Nil).
## **Key Management Personnel**
Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the charity was £105,658 (2024: £99,893).
## **12. Trustee remuneration and expenses**
## **9. Net (expenditure)/income**
Net (expenditure)/income is stated after charging/(crediting)
|Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|**2025**
**£**
3,638|2024
£
3,783|
|---|---|---|
entity were received by the trustees.
No trustee expenses h%ve been incurred.
**40**
**41**
## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)**
## **13. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 April 2024
Additions
**At 31 March 2025**
**Depreciation**
At 1 April 2024
Charge for the year
**At 31 March 2025**
**Carrying amount**
**At 31 March 2025**
At 31 March 2024|Fixtures and
fittings
£
3,053
-
3,053
1,469
305
1,774
1,279
1,584|Equipment
£
13,910
4,792
18,702
9,117
3,333
12,450
6,252
4,793|**Total**
**£**
16,963
4,792|
|---|---|---|---|
||||21,755|
||||10,586
3,638|
||||14,224|
||||7,531|
||||6,377|
## **14. Debtors**
|**. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Prepayments & accrued income
Amounts recoverable on cases
Other debtors
Accruals and deferred income
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors|**2025**
**£**
9,901
179,257
17,967
207,125
**2025**
**£**
14,976
24,085
12,419
51,480|2024
£
10,696
135,239
12,252|
|---|---|---|
|||158,187|
|||2024
£
20,933
23,406
21,167|
|||65,506|
## **15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
## **16. Pensions and other post-retirement benefits**
##
contribution plans was £21,379 (2024: £14,767)
## **17. Analysis of charitable funds**
## **Unrestricted funds**
|General funds
General funds|At 1 April
2024
£
348,677
At 1 April
2023
£
235,821|Income
£
687,832
Income
£
648,125|Expenditure
£
(597,366)
Expenditure
£
(535,100)|Transfers
£
-
Transfers
£
(169)|**At 31 March**
**2025**
**£**
439,143|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||At 31 March
2024
£
348,677|
## **Restricted funds**
|Digital Freedom Fund
The IHL Trust - Police
Perpetrated Abuse
The Oak Foundation
International Project
The Big Give - Challenging
Miscarriages of Justice of
Women
Anonymous Research Project
PPDA Litigation - Crowdjustice
Daisy Fund - CrowdJustice
Sam and Bella Sebba Charitable
Foundation
Allen & Overy Foundation
The Legal Education Foundation
Emma Humphreys Memorial
Prize
The Big Give - Azra Kemal Legal
Internship Programme
Big Give - Appeals 2024
The Olwyn Foundation -
Criminalisation
CrowdJustice: Azra Kemal
Internship Programme
Anonymous Trust
HOPE Campaign (CrowdJustice)|At 1 April
2024
£
2,448
-
25,106
32,701
14,234
3,832
1,380
40,000
5,927
-
2,741
14,709
-
-
-
-
-
143,078|Income
£
-
1,500
-
-
10,400
-
-
45,000
-
57,240
12,035
-
20,203
90,000
6,533
50,000
6,546
299,457|Expenditure
£
-
(1,500)
(14,425)
(14,813)
-
(1,000)
(684)
(51,291)
(5,927)
(50,433)
(1,079)
(7,811)
-
(43,747)
-
(8,332)
(283)
(201,325)|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|**At 31 March**
**2025**
**£**
2,448
-
10,681
17,888
24,634
2,832
696
33,709
-
6,807
13,697
6,898
20,203
46,253
6,533
41,668
6,263|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||241,210|
**42**
**43**
## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)**
## **17. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)**
|At 1 April
2023
£
Rosa UK - Advice and Support
208
The Access to Justice Foundation
746
The Olwyn Foundation
46,532
The Azra Kemal Legal Internship
Programme
5,382
Rape Justice Now
11,615
Digital Freedom Fund
7,448
The Baring Foundation
31,155
The IHL Trust
17,076
The Legal Education Foundation
5,052
The Oak Foundation
International Project
50,326
The Big Give - Challenging
Miscarriages
38,766
The Big Give Christmas
Challenge 2021
248
Anonymous Research Project
19,693
The Big Give - Justice
Unwrapped
17,627
The Oak Foundation - Care Fund
2,320
PPDA Litigation - CrowdJustice
8,099
The Big Give Women and Girls
Digital Grant
208
Daisy Fund - CrowdJustice
-
Sam & Bella Sebba Foundation
-
Allen & Overy Foundation
-
The Legal Education Foundation
JFF 2024
-
Emma Humphreys Memorial
Prize
-
The Big Give - Azra Kemal
Internship
-
262,501|Income
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
32,844
-
-
-
10,000
-
-
-
-
1,380
45,000
7,500
5,000
15,000
20,669
137,393|Expenditure
£
(208)
(746)
(46,532)
(5,382)
(11,615)
(5,000)
(31,155)
(17,076)
(37,896)
(25,220)
(6,065)
(248)
(15,459)
(17,627)
(2,489)
(4,267)
(208)
-
(5,000)
(1,573)
(5,000)
(12,259)
(5,960)
(256,985)|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
169
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
169|At 31 March
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
2,448
-
-
-
25,106
32,701
-
14,234
-
-
3,832
-
1,380
40,000
5,927
-
2,741
14,709|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||143,078|
## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)**
## **17. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)**
## **Digital Freedom Fund**
Victim/witness digital data extraction in sexual offence investigations - strategic litigation.
## **The IHL Trust - Police Perpetrated Abuse**
This project aims to bring about structural change to the way such complaints are investigated and dealt with. We will support individual women who have been victims of police perpetrated abuse through legal advice and access to appropriate other services.
## **The Oak Foundation - International Project**
Creation of a sustainable international network of lawyers and legally-focused NGOs to combat psychological violence towards women and girls, its harmful impacts, and build state accountability.
## **The Big Give - Challenging Miscarriages of Justice of Women**
Providing legal advice to women who have been wrongly or disproportionately punished for resisting male violence so that they may appeal wrongful convictions and unjust sentences.
## **Anonymous research project**
Dissemination of the Women Who Kill research project via presentations, training and related articles and reports.
## **CrowdJustice - PPDA Litigation**
Funds remaining following a legal challenge around police perpetrated domestic abuse. Restricted to disbursements and fees related to litigation where perpetrator(s) are from within the police force
## **Daisy Fund - CrowdJustice**
Donated from the Forgotten Victims: Conceived in Rape CrowdJustice fund. To assist in cases or project that will benefit victims from a black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
## **Sam and Bella Sebba Charitable Foundation - Tackling police perpetrated domestic and sexual violence**
Restricted funds to tackle police perpetrated domestic and sexual violence.
## **Allen & Overy Foundation - Azra Kemal Legal Internship Programme:**
Funding for our paid part-time internship programme for women from Black, Asian and/or minoritised backgrounds.
## **The Legal Education Foundation - Justice First Fellowship Scheme 2024**
To fund the hosting of a Justice First Fellow Trainee Solicitor.
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## **17. Analysis of charitable funds (continued)**
## **Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize**
To organise and host the 2023/24 awards to remember, recognise and reward those who have worked to end violence against women and bring it to the attention of the wider public.
## **The Big Give - Azra Kemal Legal Internship Programme**
Azra Kemal Legal Internship Programme: funding for our paid part-time internship programme for women from Black, Asian and/or minoritised backgrounds
## **The Big Give - Appeals 2024**
Provide legal assistance to women wrongly convicted of crimes as a consequence of being victims of abuse.
## **CrowdJustice: Azra Kemal Internship Programme**
Paid internship programme for women from a Black, Asian and/or minoritised background to promote ad increase diversity in the legal profession.
## **The Olwyn Foundation**
Challenging the unjust criminalisation of women and girls who offend due to domestic abuse, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation.
## **Anonymous Trust: Litigation Department Funding**
## **The Baring Foundation - Racial Injustice in the CJS**
Joint project with Imkaan - analysing and challenging the institutionalised abuse and racism experienced by Black and minoritised women and girls in the criminal justice system.
## **The Legal Education Foundation: Justice First Fellowship Scheme**
Funding for a Justice First Fellowship trainee solicitor for 2 years.
## **The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2021 - Digital Capacity Building Grant**
Digital capacity building activities such as training, software and advertising.
## T **he Big Give - Justice Unwrapped:**
Empowering Survivors of Violence Providing specialist training to frontline women’s sector organisations to upskill them to identify police duties and failures around domestic violence, sexual violence, and other areas of male violence.
## **The Oak Foundation - Care Fund**
Staff training on vicarious-trauma and support in their work with survivors of sexual violence.
## **The Big Give - Women and Girls Digital Grant**
Digital capacity building activities such as training, software and advertising.
To contribute towards the annual pay and other associated costs of hiring an additional solicitor
## **CrowdJustice: HOPE Campaign**
Raising awareness and campaigning around wiping the criminal record of women in street prostitution.
## **Restricted funds with movement in the year to 31 March 2024 but none in the year to 31 March 2025**
## **Rosa UK - Advice and Support**
Improving access to justice for women and girls throughout England and Wales by empowering the women’s sector to recognise and challenge criminal justice failings and connect them to feminist lawyers.
## **The Access to Justice Foundation - Community Justice Fund**
Support for specialist advice services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
## **Rape Justice Now (Crowd Justice)**
Funds remaining following a case to judicially review the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to prosecuting rape. These funds will be used on any work carried out around rape and sexual violence.
## **18. Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors less than 1 year
**Net assets**
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Creditors less than 1 year
**Net assets**|Unrestricted
Funds
£
7,531
483,091
(51,480)
439,142
Unrestricted
Funds
£
6,377
407,806
(65,506)
348,677|Restricted
Funds
£
-
241,211
-
241,211
Restricted
Funds
£
-
143,078
-
143,078|**Total Funds**
**2025**
**£**
7,531
724,302
(51,480)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||680,353|
||||Total Funds
2024
£
6,377
550,884
(65,506)|
||||491,755|
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## **19. Of changes in net debt**
||At 1 April||**At 31 Mar**|
|---|---|---|---|
||2024|Cash flows|**2025**|
|Cash at bank and in hand|£
392,697|£
124,480|**£**
517,177|
## **20. Operating lease commitments**
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
**With thanks to all our funders, donors, staff, clients and volunteers**
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Not later than 1 year|54,932|52,841|
|Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years|1,538|2,097|
||56,470|54,938|
The amount on lease payments made in the year recognised as an expense is £52,840 (2024: £44,872).
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