Written Statement: National Advisers for Violence against Women, Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence: Annual Report 2022-23

I am pleased to announce the publication of the Annual Report for 2022-23 produced by Yasmin Khan and Johanna Robinson, the National Advisers for Violence against Women, Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence.  The report is a requirement of the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015.

The report describes the National Advisers’ progress against the objectives they set for themselves in their Annual Plan for 2022-23 and summarises the position up to the end of March 2023; it recognises the final 6 months term of Nazir Afzal and Yasmin Khan as National Advisers for Violence against Women Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Advisers and the first term of 6 months for Johanna Robinson undertaking the role alongside Yasmin Khan as we begin the new 3-year term.

Their support is vital in helping us deliver the 6 objectives of the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy for 2022-2026, including the implementation and delivery of the blueprint workstreams, and the continued work towards achieving our commitment to make Wales the safest place to be a woman.

Both Yasmin and Johanna bring an invaluable wealth of knowledge, expertise, and leadership to drive forward change for victims, survivors and the specialist sector. They provide direction and stability at a time where violence against women and girls is rightly at the forefront of the public conscience.

I would like to thank them for the passion and energy they bring to the role of joint National Adviser and for the continued support they have given to me and my officials throughout the reporting period.

The report can be accessed here: Violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence: national advisers annual report 2022 to 2023