10. 7. Statement: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:03 pm on 22 November 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Neil McEvoy Neil McEvoy Plaid Cymru 6:03, 22 November 2016

As somebody who has worked with female victims of domestic abuse and supported them, I welcome most of the statement. I am concerned at a lack of regulation in the sector, which means that some people fall through the gaps, and those people have ended up in my office. On occasion, it’s been very difficult to get children’s services to listen to victims, and the way that they’ve been treated has compounded the original abuse.

One area missing from this statement is that of politics, because, in some circles, sexism is accepted. Some colleagues on Cardiff Council of all parties—different parties; let’s be clear on that—have suffered unduly over the last four and a half years. Three female councillors have left the authority, one very loudly talking about sexist discrimination. One other female councillor was bullied to the point of having to change political group.

One other councillor has—[Interruption.] I’m coming to it now. It’s very important; please listen. One other councillor has complained to me privately of the abuse that she’s suffered. A member of my own group, because of what she’s been put through, because she’s a woman, doesn’t know whether she wants to stand next year in the council elections. So, my question to you, Minister, and, as a White Ribbon ambassador, I’m sure I’ll get a positive response, because I’ve actually had a negative response from Cardiff Council on this: will you support and initiate a survey of all elected female politicians in Wales to gauge what they’ve gone through and get their opinion on how they’ve been treated? It’s a vital area, and we’re ignoring a lot of sexism that is actually happening to our own colleagues.