: Diolch, Trefnydd.
The violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
strategy is, to me, one of the most important pieces of work the
Welsh Government has announced this term, especially for my
communities in Rhondda. Shockingly, the number of incidents of
domestic violence and abuse reported to South
Wales Police in Rhondda is, more often than not, double
that of Cynon, Taf and Merthyr combined. We also know that
these figures increase on the days of rugby
internationals. With the start of the six nations, I'm
campaigning, in February, with partners, to raise awareness of
what local and national support is available to victims and
perpetrators. I know that the support is available thanks to the
strategy, but we need people to be accessing it. Trefnydd,
since the strategy's announcement, what work has been done to
ensure people know where and how they can access support? And are
we still able to fund services fully during the current financial
climate?
(Minister for Rural
Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd): Well, as Buffy
Williams has outlined, in Wales, we know that too many people
still experience domestic abuse and sexual violence, and our
strategy absolutely puts prevention at its core, shifting the
focus from symptom to cause through a public health approach.
Buffy Williams referred to our groundbreaking Act back in 2015,
and that created duties on local authorities and health boards in
Wales to publish and implement strategies for addressing these
issues in our local communities, and that really ensures that
tackling violence against women and girls is prioritised right
across Wales.
You mentioned the upcoming six nations campaign, and, through our
Live Fear Free campaigns, that is a time that we do publicise
those more. And we will continue to raise awareness of stalking,
of harassment, of abuse and violence against women in all aspects
of life, and that includes the street and other public places.
And what these campaigns really do is provide practical advice
for those who may be suffering abuse, but, as well as
highlighting the support that's available to enable friends and
family, and the wider community, to recognise abuse and take safe
action, and signposting for people who perpetrate, who are
themselves concerned about their behaviour. The Welsh
Government does continue to fund regional advisers and specialist
services, including the 24/7 Live Fear Free helpline. That
supports victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and works
tirelessly to ensure that no victim falls through the gaps of
service provision, and especially those at higher risk. And we
welcome long-term collaboration and partnership working between
the services, and also the criminal justice services, really
working together to deal with the complexities of the trauma that
can be experienced.
