But, Llywydd, there is much more to do. In the next 18 months we have plans to work with the sector and victims and survivors to develop a detailed delivery plan; support our local government and health board colleagues who are developing their local strategies; publish further national guidance on commissioning, multi-agency collaboration and the whole-education approach; work with the sector and my ministerial advisory group to make sure services’ funding is more sustainable; and develop a survivor engagement framework.

Llywydd, in Wales, like the rest of the world, women and girls are disproportionately affected by all forms of violence. Evidence suggests that women are more likely to experience gender-based violence, and, as such, we acknowledge that violence against women is the most prevalent form of gender-based violence. Therefore, the policy and legislative proposals set out in the Act impact predominantly on women and girls. There are Members in the Chamber who champion male victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and say that services must support male victims too. These Members are absolutely correct and I applaud them. But there are also Members in this Chamber who champion male victims at the expense of female victims, and make the issue of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence into some kind of sinister competition. These Members are at best, either disingenuous or ill-informed.

To really help us prevent violence against women in the future, we have to focus on informing children, to make sure they understand what constitutes a healthy relationship and how to recognise the symptoms of unhealthy relationships. So far, we have published a ‘Good Practice Guide: A Whole Education Approach to Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in Wales', produced by Welsh Women’s Aid, and awareness-raising guidance for school governors published in March 2016. We have also held a national education conference.

Statutory guidance on education will make local authorities designate a member of staff for the purpose of championing violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence matters in schools and other settings. We continue to fund Hafan Cymru’s Spectrum project, which works in primary and secondary schools across Wales to teach children about healthy relationships, abuse and its consequences and where to seek help. We also fund Welsh Women’s Aid’s Children Matter project in support of the prevention element of the Act. The project supports local services across Wales to challenge gender inequality experienced by children and young people, and to improve safety. Llywydd, we’ve produced several high-profile campaigns to raise awareness and change attitudes. This includes the award-winning Cross the Line campaign, which deals with emotional abuse.

Currently, we are urging everyone to make a stand against violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Continuing our publicity campaigns to raise awareness of these issues is a key component of our action to change attitudes and challenge behaviour.

Despite a significant amount of work in Wales by the Welsh Government and partners over the last few years, we know that many are still at risk of, or experiencing violence or abuse. And 1.4 million women and 700,000 men aged between 16 and 59 report experiencing incidents of domestic abuse in England and Wales. One in 5 women aged 16 to 59 have experienced some form of sexual violence since the age of 16. In 2009-10, 54 per cent of female victims aged 16 or over had been killed by their partner, ex-partner or lover, compared to 5 per cent of male victims. In 2011, an estimated 137,000 girls and women were living with consequences of female genital mutilation in the UK. It is estimated that there are 140 victims of FGM a year in Wales.

It serves a purpose to talk about legislation, statistics and strategies. It is important that we all share an understanding of the scale of the problems we face and how we are going to tackle them together. But this can only tell us so much. Llywydd, what really motivates me to stay focused on the difficult task of eradicating violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence is the vision of our country if we don’t, and the awful and upsetting stories that victims and survivors tell me about their experiences. I want to briefly read some words of a domestic abuse survivor:

‘I’ve moved from my family home after a lot of sexual and financial abuse. I didn’t know a husband could rape you. He told me I don’t have any rights to say no, he’s my husband and he can do what he wanted. It wasn’t until I spoke with women’s aid that I knew what rights I had and I now know what rape means.’

I, like many, am a White Ribbon ambassador, and have been for many years. I’ve always been passionate about tackling violence against women. With the high incidence of these issues, it is likely that we all know someone who has been affected by violence against women, domestic abuse or sexual violence. Llywydd, it’s quite possible that 10 to 15 of the Assembly Members in this room have been directly affected by those issues. Any issue that affects a quarter of our population has to be a high priority for a Government to take action. And that’s why we have to keep on working together to tackle these problems that continue to blight our society.