1. What discussions has the First Minister had with the Minister for Social Justice regarding the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy since it was announced last year? OQ59068

Only united action from all sections of society can end abuse and ensure that everyone in Wales can truly live fear free. Our national VAWDASV strategy sets out our aims, and the Minister for Social Justice will continue to work closely with all Cabinet colleagues to ensure it is delivered.

Diolch, Trefnydd. The violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy is, to me, one of the most important pieces of work the Welsh Government has announced this term, especially for my communities in Rhondda. Shockingly, the number of incidents of domestic violence and abuse reported to South Wales Police in Rhondda is, more often than not, double that of Cynon, Taf and Merthyr combined. We also know that these figures increase on the days of rugby internationals. With the start of the six nations, I'm campaigning, in February, with partners, to raise awareness of what local and national support is available to victims and perpetrators. I know that the support is available thanks to the strategy, but we need people to be accessing it. Trefnydd, since the strategy's announcement, what work has been done to ensure people know where and how they can access support? And are we still able to fund services fully during the current financial climate?

Well, as Buffy Williams has outlined, in Wales, we know that too many people still experience domestic abuse and sexual violence, and our strategy absolutely puts prevention at its core, shifting the focus from symptom to cause through a public health approach. Buffy Williams referred to our groundbreaking Act back in 2015, and that created duties on local authorities and health boards in Wales to publish and implement strategies for addressing these issues in our local communities, and that really ensures that tackling violence against women and girls is prioritised right across Wales. 

You mentioned the upcoming six nations campaign, and, through our Live Fear Free campaigns, that is a time that we do publicise those more. And we will continue to raise awareness of stalking, of harassment, of abuse and violence against women in all aspects of life, and that includes the street and other public places. And what these campaigns really do is provide practical advice for those who may be suffering abuse, but, as well as highlighting the support that's available to enable friends and family, and the wider community, to recognise abuse and take safe action, and signposting for people who perpetrate, who are themselves concerned about their behaviour. The Welsh Government does continue to fund regional advisers and specialist services, including the 24/7 Live Fear Free helpline. That supports victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, and works tirelessly to ensure that no victim falls through the gaps of service provision, and especially those at higher risk. And we welcome long-term collaboration and partnership working between the services, and also the criminal justice services, really working together to deal with the complexities of the trauma that can be experienced.

Minister, in a written statement dated 19 January on women's safety in public places in Wales, the Minister for Social Justice referred to the Welsh Government's violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence national strategy. The Minister said that the strategy will be delivered through a collaborative

'"blueprint approach" alongside a group of key partner organisations including the police and specialist sector.'

One of these blueprint work streams is street harassment and safety in public places, providing a focus and expertise for an innovative approach to these issues. Currently in Newport—an area that I represent in South Wales East—every other LED light in the city gets turned off from midnight until 6 a.m. in the morning. However, Newport's Labour council is considering switching off all 19,000 lights, except at 'safety-critical sites', overnight, in a bid to cut costs. Furthermore, since late 2019, street lights across Caerphilly county borough have been switched off each night between midnight and 5.30 a.m. So, do you agree with me, Minister, that turning off street lights at night is in direct conflict with the aims of your Government's strategy to help women and girls feel safe on our streets? And will you take up this matter with the local authorities concerned, going forward? Thank you.

Thank you. Well, I think we have to recognise the very difficult position that our local authorities are in, in trying to save money, even with the budgets that we've been able to give them from Welsh Government. But, as you say, the Minister for Social Justice did make a statement, following a request—I think it was from Delyth Jewell—in the business statement, because the Minister for Social Justice absolutely recognises that it's really important how women and children—well, everybody—feel safe, particularly on our streets. You mentioned the blueprint, and that works very closely not just with our partners here in Wales, but also non-devolved organisations. As part of that structure, the Minister for Social Justice chairs the national partnership board, with Dafydd Llywelyn, who's the lead police and crime commissioner here in Wales. It's something that I'm sure the board will look at, to see what support they can give local authorities, but, as I say, we do have to recognise the position of our local authorities from a financial position.

The scope of the strategy was extended to include workplace harassment, because, as it says, women's safety can only come from change in a culture that fails to tackle toxic masculinity. Unfortunately, we've seen numerous examples of that culture in various organisations in recent weeks. So, do you agree with me, Minister, that trade unions are key to holding workplaces to account, and making sure that bosses are doing everything they can to prevent sexual harassment? We need good men in the room and employers to look at systems and procedures that enable and facilitate safe challenges. And would you join with me in welcoming the work that Wales TUC has done with Welsh Women's Aid to develop a toolkit, which I'll be launching here in March, that will help union reps to carry out that work?

Thank you. And thank you to Joyce Watson for bringing the workplace sexual harassment toolkit to our attention today. I think it will be an extremely useful tool, once it has been launched, and it has been developed jointly with Welsh Women's Aid and Wales TUC. And it's very much in alignment with our aim to, obviously, ensure that workplaces are safe for employees, but also to ensure that employers have the tools that they need to deal with any breaches when they do happen. The Welsh Government has a long history of working with Welsh Women's Aid, and I think that this toolkit is another example of their passion and devotion to make sure that we do eradicate violence against women and girls. And I know that the Minister for Social Justice is very welcoming of the toolkit also.