3. How is the Welsh Government encouraging men and boys in Wales to make the White Ribbon promise? OQ58661

Thank you very much, Jack Sargeant, for that question. The Welsh Government organises activities each year to promote the White Ribbon campaign and highlight the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence agenda as part of the 16 days of activism. This year, our officials will host an internal event in the Welsh Government to raise awareness and encourage officials to become White Ribbon ambassadors.

Can I thank the Minister for that answer? I will be delighted to join you at that event for Welsh Government officials to encourage officials to become White Ribbon ambassadors. I will declare at this point that I am, Llywydd, a White Ribbon ambassador, just as my dad was. But, I'm not the only campaigner for the White Ribbon cause here in the Senedd. My close friend and colleague Joyce Watson has dedicated years to promoting events and sign-up to the White Ribbon promise to get that real clear goal of ending domestic violence. Minister, do you agree with me that all men and boys in Wales should make the promise to never use, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women?

Thank you very much indeed, Jack Sargeant, and thank you for being the White Ribbon ambassador that you've been for so many years. And of course, we remember so well your father and the way that he championed the White Ribbon cause, and recognising that, of course, the White Ribbon cause is led by men to eliminate violence against women and girls. We will be coming together at the end of November; we have a 'light a candle' event at Llandaff cathedral, and that's a multifaith event hosted by BAWSO to recognise that international day. It is absolutely crucial that we have your support. All the men here in the Chamber will be backing that, hopefully, and wearing their white ribbons as well. It's actually to ensure that men commit that they will not condone or remain silent about violence against women. I'm very pleased that I've committed to a new phase of 'Don't be a bystander' training. This is where you have to speak up. I've actually agreed three-year funding to develop pan-Wales bystander intervention training that will be delivered to all of the citizens of Wales. 

I'd like to thank Jack Sargeant for raising this vitally important question. As he did, I'd like to take this moment just to thank Joyce Watson for all her long-continued work in this area; she's an absolute champion for the White Ribbon campaign.

Peer-on-peer sexual harassment in our schools is totally unacceptable, and it's happening up and down Wales. This was found in the recent peer-on-peer sexual harassment inquiry done by the Children, Young People and Education Committee. These behaviours need to be stamped out, and White Ribbon Day is an excellent way to draw attention to this problem, spur on action and get our boys in schools to make the White Ribbon promise. I'd like to ask the Minister: what steps is the Welsh Government taking, specifically regarding schools, to end harassment and violence in those institutions, to ensure that we do not see that these young people manifest their problems into adulthood, which then causes more violence against women?

Can I thank you for that question and, at this point, also acknowledge and endorse what has been said by the two Members about Joyce Watson and her leadership as far as the White Ribbon cause is concerned? It is important what you say in terms of how we can reach out to our children and young people, and school obviously is the place to do this, because violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence obviously can have a huge impact on children and young people. I do think that it's really important that we look at the way in which our relationships and sexuality education, now a statutory requirement in the Curriculum for Wales framework and mandatory for our learners, is actually going to focus on developing healthy relationships from the early years, furthering our aim to ensure all children and young people have the ability to enjoy healthy, happy, respectful relationships now and in the future. But also, we continue to fund Hafan Cymru's Spectrum project, which has been working in schools delivering training for staff, because that's crucial for our staff and governors in understanding the impact domestic abuse can have on children and young people.

There is, as you say, Minister, some fantastic work that's going on in the schools around respectful and healthy relationships, and that's hugely important. But we need to spread the message wider than schools and take it outside the school gates to organisations like, for example, the Scouts and army cadets, football clubs, and other places where boys find themselves. So, are you able to tell me if there's any work that you're doing to influence those organisations in exploring ways that they can help those individuals become role models and amplify the White Ribbon message?

Thank you, Joyce Watson, because we do need to go outside. We've commented on the opportunities and the work that's been done in schools with children and young people, and the importance of the new curriculum in terms of that relationships and sexuality education framework, but we also need to reach out to all of those organisations where young people gather and engage. I think it is interesting, and many of you will know from your contact with Girl Guides and Scouts, how they are beginning to embrace these issues, recognising issues relating to equality and also addressing harassment and sexual abuse, and understanding what children and young people are experiencing, which, of course, has been an important point of the inquiry undertaken by the Children, Young People and Education Committee. But also football clubs, army cadets—this is where we can take the White Ribbon message, and I think that Jack Sargeant, and all of those who are engaging with the White Ribbon campaign, can get that message over and reach out to those organisations working with children and young people.