The White Ribbon Promise

Part of 3. Questions to the Senedd Commission – in the Senedd at 3:13 pm on 9 November 2022.

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Photo of Joyce Watson Joyce Watson Labour 3:13, 9 November 2022

I think that last point you made is a hugely important one. It's one thing making a pledge, it's another thing meaning it. But there are two sides, of course, to the White Ribbon, and one is all the work that is done around the White Ribbon, but the White Ribbon is about attempts to diminish the prevalence of violence against women and children. So, on the one side, we will raise awareness; on the other side, we have to protect people.

Within the home working support pages, the Commission have supplemented existing policies with further guidance for those who experience abuse within that home environment, and the Commission has provided a risk-assessed safe place to work away from home for Commission staff, if they should require it. The domestic abuse policy has been revised and places greater responsibility on all staff to report concerns for a colleague. It also reflects the current change of legislation that finally recognises that children are victims of domestic abuse and experience significant harm. That links to the Commission's newly revised safeguarding children policy. The Commission's support also includes provision of a new domestic abuse loan, because very often it is the case that people leave with absolutely nothing. Commission officials have recently—this October—discussed activities to support victims of domestic abuse with colleague public sector organisations—Welsh Government sponsored bodies that collaborate together.