Written question WQ87365

The Welsh Government has always been clear about its ambition to end 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.

The Programme for Government commits to strengthening the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Strategy to include a focus on violence against women in the street and workplace as well as the home in order to make Wales the safest place in Europe to be a woman. The Welsh Government published its five-year VAWDASV National Strategy in May 2022 which was developed alongside a group of key partner organisations including the police, specialist sector and survivors. The Strategy sets out the overarching objectives that the Welsh Government will deliver in partnership with stakeholders to progress the purpose of the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015.

The Strategy will be delivered through a collaborative ‘blueprint’ approach alongside key partners including the police and specialist sector.

One of the objectives in this strategy is to provide all victims, including children and young people, with equal access to appropriately resourced, high quality, needs-led, strength-based, intersectional and responsive services across Wales. The Welsh Government funds VAWDASV regions and specialist services to provide invaluable and lifesaving support to all victims of VAWADSV ensuring that wherever a victim lives in Wales, there is a strong public and specialist service ready to help.

Our ground-breaking VAWDASV Act also creates duties on local authorities and health boards in Wales to publish and implement local strategies for addressing these issues in their communities. This ensures that tackling violence against women and girls is prioritised across Wales.

We would encourage anyone concerned about, triggered by or experiencing VAWDASV to seek support. Our Live Fear Free helpline is a free, 24/7 service for all victims and survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence and those close to them, including family, friends and colleagues. Live Fear Free can be contacted by call, text, chat or email. Call: 0808 80 10 800, Text: 0786 007 7333, Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales Live chat: gov.wales/livefearfree

Wales will not be bystander to abuse.