Part of 2. Questions to the Leader of the House and Chief Whip – in the Senedd at 2:26 pm on 20 June 2018.
I thank the leader of the house for that comprehensive answer. For the year 2016-17, over 10,000 adult survivors and nearly 4,000 children and young people were provided with support by domestic abuse services in Wales, which include refuge and community-based advocacy. Figures show the national domestic abuse helpline received over 28,000 calls. It is therefore extremely disturbing to hear that at least 500 women in Wales could not be accommodated by refuges because there was no space available. As these refuges afford one of the most important elements in helping domestic abuse victims, why is it that from 2016 to date there have been cuts to refuge services that mean no new refuges are being provided and existing ones may even have to close? Does the leader of the house believe this is an acceptable situation?