Written Statement: National Advisers for Violence against Women, Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence: Annual Report 2020-21

I am pleased to announce the publication of the Annual Report 2020-21 produced by Yasmin Khan and Nazir Afzal OBE, the National Advisers for Violence against Women, Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. This is also 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 2020-21. It also provides an assessment of Welsh Government achievements during the year. This recognises the important action we have taken during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that victims and survivors have been protected and supported during this difficult period.  

In light of this, I have agreed for the terms of office of the current National Advisers to be extended to July 2022. This will enable us to provide much needed stability to our stakeholders and their service users as we move out of the pandemic.

I would like to thank the National Advisers for the invaluable expertise that they provide and for the continued support they have given me and my officials throughout this reporting period.