Welsh Government
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Consultation on ground-breaking legislation to end violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
Domestic abuse, alone, is estimated to have a financial cost in Wales of over £800 million a year. The proposals in the White Paper send a clear message that early intervention is necessary to prevent not only the huge financial burden on public services but also reduce the devastating emotional and physical impact on victims.
The intention is to put the following three specific themes on a legal footing:
- Stronger leadership across Public Sector Services in Wales that is independent, can monitor and challenge and provide a strategic overview
- Better education and awareness from ‘cradle to the grave’, which includes the public, frontline staff and professionals
- Strengthening and integrating services that are consistent, effective and of a quality standard
Proposals within these three areas include the appointment of an Independent Ministerial Adviser for Ending Violence Against Women - which will be the first appointment of its kind in the UK; ensuring education on healthy relationships is delivered in all schools; an independent review of services for victims to inform future funding and strategic direction; the development of a National Training Framework to ensure a consistent approach to the training of frontline staff across Wales and a duty to be placed on public sector employers to have a workplace policy for violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Carl Sargeant said:
“Evidence shows that nearly one in three women will have experienced domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime and nearly one in five women will have experienced some form of sexual violence.”
“I believe that everyone in Wales has the right to live in a safe community, free from violence and abuse. In order to achieve this we need to tackle the enduring social problem of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
“Whilst much has been achieved through the implementation of the Right to be Safe strategy, that was launched in 2010, and the earlier 2005 domestic abuse strategy, gaps in the provision of services remain and we can no longer rely on chance, goodwill and individuals to make the difference.
“In Wales the financial cost of domestic abuse alone is estimated to be £826 million per annum. Health and Social Services carry a significant proportion of this cost, with employers also affected through absence, loss of productivity and rapid turnover of employees. The human and emotional cost is often difficult to determine but is significant.
“There are already good examples of how investing early and quality interventions can save lives and the public purse. I want to see a more consistent approach to, and availability of, high quality standardised services for victims across Wales.
“I passionately believe we have a duty to tackle this issue and I believe this ground-breaking legislation – as outlined in the White Paper – will help us take significant steps forward in achieving the aim of ending violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence in Wales.”
Related Links
Consultation on legislation to end violence against women and domestic abuse (Wales)
Violence against women and domestic abuse
The Right to be Safe
Live Fear Free
