8. Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy 2022-26

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:04 pm on 28 June 2022.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 6:04, 28 June 2022

I thank you for your statement today, Minister, and I want to thank you again for attending the launch of 'A Duty to Support'. It was a report that I commissioned with Welsh Women's Aid on the provision of support services for children and young people who experience abuse at home. I said earlier and I'll say it again that one in five children witness abuse at home, and there's an urgent need for tailored support for them, and I know that you recognise that.

The research did find pockets of very good practice in Wales, and they found a strong desire from service providers and Welsh Government to provide that support, but there were also gaps that were found and opportunities to strengthen provision had been missed. So, could I ask how the new strategy specifically responds to the needs of young people, and how it might improve access to specialist domestic abuse support for children right across Wales, providing that support when they need it and where they need it?