5. Will the Deputy Minister make a statement on domestic violence and abuse in South Wales West? OAQ53879

The scourge of domestic abuse and violence is intolerable. That's why the Welsh Government introduced legislation and funds services for prevention, protection and support. We are working to making Wales the safest place for women in Europe.

Thank you for that response. 

Now, figures released recently show that South Wales Police receive a phone call every 15 minutes about domestic violence or abuse—a truly shocking figure. One positive move in terms of the identification of domestic abuse has been the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety scheme, the IRIS scheme, which sees GPs and practice staff in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf trained to spot the signs of domestic abuse through a series of questions. In Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr, where the scheme started in January 2016, there have now been over 500 referrals where previously there had not been any. I believe that this award-winning project needs to be rolled out across the whole of the South Wales Police area, including into areas such as Swansea and Neath Port Talbot and, indeed, across the whole of Wales. To that end, do you agree and, if so, what support is the Welsh Government prepared to provide health boards to help contribute to this vitally important area?   

This is an example of good practice that I know will be shared by the chief constables and the police and crime commissioners. In fact, I'm chairing the policing board on Thursday of this week, and I'm sure that this will be brought to our attention, because it does provide an opportunity for the police and services to work together in delivering on our national strategy on violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence, and it is important that we can learn across Wales how services can work together in order to deliver that support and action in terms of tackling violence against women and domestic abuse.

Can I thank the Member for South Wales West for tabling this very important question? The Deputy Minister might be aware from recent news articles that councils in England will now have a legal duty to provide secure homes for victims of domestic abuse under recently announced plans. What conversations has the Deputy Minister had with the Minister for housing, looking at the implications of this? Also, what will they be doing to ensure that victims and survivors here in Wales have similar support—building on the fantastic work we've already done by leading the way with the domestic violence Bill—and once and for all ending domestic violence in all its forms?

I thank Jack Sargeant for that question, because the Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that we have all the services available that are needed for those seeking support because of domestic abuse and violence. Clearly, we are driving this as a result of our national strategy following the Act, and that has led to a more strategic and needs-led approach to commissioning and delivering all services, including refuge provisions and specialist services that are important. So, one of the things we've done—the Welsh Government's recently commissioned the Wales Centre for Public Policy to conduct a review into refuge provision in Wales and make recommendations for both women and men fleeing abuse. That review will look at international approaches and seek input from expert providers. I think funding is crucial as well as legal duties, and it's important that we have invested in Wales—continue to invest—in the Supporting People grant that's paid to local authorities to help vulnerable people find and keep a home or accommodation, including those fleeing domestic violence. That became part of the housing support grant from April of this year and is administered by all the local authorities. That does also give us a much better track record on refuge provision.