Written Statement - The Right to be Safe Strategy” – 3rd Annual Report

The Right to be Safe Strategy was launched in March 2010. It is a six year, integrated Strategy for tackling all forms of violence against women and domestic abuse and is supported by a three year implementation plan. The Strategy identified four key priority areas:

• Prevention and raising awareness of violence against women and domestic abuse;
• Providing support for victims and children;
• Improving the response of criminal justice agencies; and
• Improving the response of health services and other agencies

This is our 3rd Annual Report which provides an update on delivery against the Strategy’s four priority areas.  It contains a detailed section on our progress against each action in the implementation plan.  
The Report outlines how the Welsh Government has consulted on legislative and policy proposals aimed at ending violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. These proposals seek to complement existing law, focusing on the social issues within the elements of prevention, protection and support.

Finally, the report includes the progress being made on the 10,000 Safer Lives project.  The project aims to improve multi-agency service provision for victims of domestic abuse in Wales, focusing on service users determined to be at medium or standard risk.

Of the 89 actions in the Implementation Plan, good progress is being made with over two thirds of the actions having been completed, with 23 outstanding.  As part of this Annual Report, Welsh Government has identified how these outstanding actions will be taken forward.  This will be:

• As part of the new proposals for legislation
• As a stand alone one year action plan or,
• As part of the implementation of the 10,000 Safer Lives project.

The report can be accessed online.

This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns, I would be happy to do so.