Written question WQ83726

We understand the genuine concern of women and young girls around their safety, particularly in the night time economy setting. The act of spiking is an insidious crime, it removes a person’s dignity, rights and freedom. It is a prime example of misuse of power and control.

Welsh Government has always been clear, we want an end to all violence against women and girls. Violence against women and girls is a societal problem which requires a societal response. We must challenge attitudes and change behaviours of those who behave abusively. It is not for women to modify their behaviour, it is for abusers to change theirs.

We are strengthening our Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Strategy to include a focus on violence and harassment against women in the street and workplace as well as the home as part of our ongoing work to make Wales the safest place in Europe to be a woman.

While justice is not devolved in Wales, we will continue to work in partnership with specialist services to raise awareness of the inequality and safety issues faced by women and girls and with Welsh police forces, Police and Crime commissioners, public safety boards and the Crown Prosecution Service so people have the confidence to report and hold abusers and perpetrators of violence to account.