10. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the Welsh Government’s strategy for tackling domestic abuse? (OAQ51029)

I thank the Member for her question. Our national strategy sets out the actions we are taking to support victims of domestic abuse. A delivery framework to support the strategy will be published shortly and we are also developing a communications framework, a survivor engagement framework and a model for sustainable funding of provision.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The statistics on domestic violence are shocking. In Wales and England, on average, two women are killed by their partner or ex-partner every week. Domestic abuse-related crime is 10 per cent of the total crime—a figure that is increasing—yet it remains the violent crime least likely to be reported to the police. Whilst prosecution rates are rising year on year, reoffending rates remain too high. It’s estimated that four in 10 survivors of domestic abuse are repeat victims. The introduction of a domestic violence offenders register would shift the onus on to the perpetrators. This would allow the police to hold information on perpetrators, prioritise resources based on risk and, most importantly, better protect survivors. With this in mind, will the Cabinet Secretary explore the establishment of a Welsh domestic violence register?

I personally am supportive of the Member’s principles behind this. I have written to Sarah Newton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, to ascertain her views on a campaign for a register of perpetrators. I will consider the issue in light of her response around that. I’ve also sought some legal advice around the competency of the Assembly as to whether we can create a register or not, but I am exploring all options and I will write to the Member with more details when I receive them.

Cabinet Secretary, I’m pleased that Jayne Bryant has raised this very important issue. I’ve had the privilege over a number of years as an Assembly Member to visit Women’s Aid groups across Wales and, obviously, in my own constituency, in Abergavenny, where I also visited a safe house, and I realise the important work they do, not just for the victims, but for the families, for children involved as well. I’m sure you’ll agree, though, Cabinet Secretary, it’s not just about strategy, important though that is; it’s about concrete action on the ground as well. So, how are you consulting fully with domestic violence charities to keep up-to-date with the issues that are affecting them from week to week, month to month, year to year, to make sure that the strategy and its goals that you and your Government are implementing are actually delivering real results on the ground that will assist victims of domestic violence and their families?

The Member is right to raise this issue. I’m very keen to ensure that we get a real response from real people when we are developing a strategy. That’s why I have survivors on my advisory panel, to tell me about their real-life experiences, to make sure we can deliver on those. I’m working currently with many of the sector individuals regarding sustainable funding models and service agreements, to look again at what services are required on the ground, not just driven by policy of the Government, but actually what people are saying they need in their communities, and I look forward to making those announcements and changes in the near future.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.