Draft statutory guidance for local VAWDASV strategies

Introduction

Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence is endemic in our society. Most of the major issues facing our society today (child poverty, homelessness, substance misuse) have violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence at the heart of them.

Although murders by strangers shock us, many more women die each year at the hands of violent men known to them, and thousands more endure violence and control that impairs their lives and opportunities. For many, home remains a place of fear. Women and girls still experience control over their sexuality and identity through misguided notions of honour or exploitation.

Advancements in modern technology have introduced new avenues for abuse. Incidents of stalking and harassment via social media, the distribution of indecent images, and digital forms of coercive control have all seen a significant rise in recent years.

Tackling VAWDASV is not just about ensuring that women and children escaping violence are supported, it is about preventing them from coming to harm in the first place. It is about keeping them safe.

It means ensuring that our built environment: our schools, our offices, our streets are safe. 

It means ensuring our transport infrastructure, our trains, our buses, our taxis, are safe.

It means ensuring digital technology, the internet, social media are safe.

It means teaching our young men and young women what healthy relationships are. Helping them to ensure that the language they use to speak to each other, that the way they behave towards themselves, and others is safe.

It means providing programmes and support for perpetrators of abuse, to stop them from reoffending.

It means helping families to stay together, in communities they know and trust, with the help and support they need.

Tackling VAWDASV is not just the responsibility of our health services, our police, our social services. It is the responsibility of us all. Only by changing our approach, our attitudes and our behaviour can ever hope to make Wales the safe place we want it to be.

This guidance is provided under Section 15 of the VAWDASV Act and replaces the Guidance for Local Strategies published in 2018 and is designed to assist public and specialist services to develop and deliver services in partnership that ensure everyone affected by VAWDASV is supported to live their lives in safe and secure environments.

Purpose of the guidance

Under the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 (“the Act”) local authorities and local health boards have a duty to prepare, publish and implement joint strategies for tackling violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.  These strategies are now in place covering all areas of Wales. 

The purpose of this guidance is to assist local authorities, local health boards and their partners (other public bodies and the third sector) to collaborate, develop and implement strategies that comply with the duties and contribute to the delivering the purpose of the Act (prevention, protection and support) providing a cohesive and comprehensive response to VAWDASV. 

In addition to statutory obligations, this guidance encourages innovative practices, continuous learning, and adaptation to emerging challenges. It emphasises the importance of survivor-centred approaches, ensuring that the voices of those affected inform policy and practice.

Furthermore, this guidance outlines the need for robust data collection and analysis to drive evidence-based interventions, and data to monitor impacts and outcomes. By understanding the prevalence, patterns, and impacts of VAWDASV, we can tailor our responses more effectively and monitor progress towards our ultimate goal, making Wales a safer place for all women.

Legal context

Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015

The purpose of the Act is to improve:

• arrangements for the prevention of violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence
• arrangements for the protection of victims of violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence
• support for people affected by violence against women, domestic abuse, and sexual violence

Scope 

This guidance is provided under section 15 of the Act, in particular sections 15 (1) and 15 (2) g and h. 

It will cover local strategies legislated under sections 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the Act, as well as section 13 (annual progress reports)

Intended audience

This guidance is for local authorities and local health boards who have a duty under section 5 of the Act, to develop a local strategy which specifies how they intend to deliver specific objectives related to the Act.

Section 5(4) of the Act includes provision for a strategy to include actions by any public authority with functions which are capable of contributing to the pursuit of the purpose of this Act or any voluntary organisation or other person whose activities are capable of contributing to the pursuit of that purpose. 

Duty to follow guidance 

Section 17 of the VAWDASV Act requires local authorities and local health boards to follow statutory guidance when carrying out their duties, while allowing them to jointly depart from that guidance only in tightly defined circumstances: they must have a good, evidence‑based reason, adopt an alternative policy that still supports the purpose of the Act, and publish a formal policy statement under Section 18 setting out what will be done differently and why. It also outlines the procedural requirements for issuing, revising or revoking such statements, including publication and notification to Welsh Ministers. Under Section 19 Welsh Ministers may intervene if an alternative policy is unlikely to achieve the Act’s aims and may issue written directions, binding and enforceable, to ensure that authorities act in line with statutory guidance. Further guidance can be found in Chapter 3. 

Directions 

In accordance with section 17 of the Act, Relevant Authorities which includes local authorities and local health boards must follow the course set out in this guidance. 

Relevant authorities are not however required to follow this guidance if: 

1. it thinks there is a good reason for it not to follow the guidance in particular categories of case or at all
2. it decides on an alternative policy for the exercise of its functions in respect of the subject matter of the guidance
3. a policy statement is issued by the authority in accordance with section 18 of the Act is in effect

Section 18 of the Act provides that the policy statement issued must set out how the relevant authority proposes that functions should be exercised differently from the course set out in this guidance and the authority’s reasons for proposing that different course. The policy statement must be published and a copy sent to the Welsh Ministers. 

Section 19 of the Act enables the Welsh Ministers to direct relevant authorities to take any action which the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate for the purpose of securing exercise of functions by the authority in accordance with this section of the guidance where the Welsh Ministers consider that the authority’s alternative policy (in whole or in part) is not likely to contribute to the pursuit of the purpose of the Act. A direction is enforceable by mandatory order on application by, or on behalf of, the Welsh Ministers to the courts. Failure to follow a mandatory order is contempt of court and may be punishable by fine.

Preparing a local strategy 

Section 5 of the Act places a duty on a local authority and local health board to jointly prepare a local strategy for the local authority’s area.

Implementation of this duty since the Act commenced has seen a regional approach delivered on a wider footprint than a single local authority area. Therefore, when reading this guidance, “local strategies” can cover either local authority or regional areas – depending on the working practices in each region.

Reviewing and revising a strategy 

As strategies are in place in all areas of Wales there are 3 circumstances in which a strategy is revised. These are:

1. All strategies need to be reviewed within one year of a local government election. In practice this means all strategies in place in Wales under the VAWDASV Act have to be reviewed by 6^th May 2027.
2. A local authority and a local health board may decide to review their strategy at any time.
3. If directed to review their strategy so in writing by Welsh Ministers. 

It is at the discretion of local authorities and local health boards to decide whether to revise their strategy following a review. 

Reviewing and revising a strategy

A local authority and local health board must review their local strategy within 1 year after every ordinary council election. They may also review it at any other time and must do so if the Welsh Ministers give a written direction explaining why the review is required.

In this context, an “ordinary election” means a routine local council election held under section 26 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

If, after reviewing the strategy, the authority and Health Board decide to revise it, they must publish the updated version as soon as reasonably possible.

Before publishing a revised strategy, they must consult with anyone they think is appropriate.

Neither the Welsh Ministers nor the VAWDASV National Adviser have any role in the review or revision of local strategies. The Welsh Ministers instead have a power to direct a board to review its local well-being plan; or to refer a plan to the relevant local authority scrutiny committee if it is not considered sufficient; for example, due to an adverse report by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales or a Ministerial concern that statutory duties are not being met

The Act does not define the scope and nature of a revision to a local strategy. In this context a revision of a local strategy means making substantive changes to the objectives. Changes that include deletion or altering the objectives would be considered a revision. Changes to timelines and actions under the objectives would not be considered significant. Any revision must be supported by evidence and changes to objectives must be rational, proportionate and responsive to relevant considerations. 

Where legislation requires consultation (as the VAWDASV Act does before revising a strategy), local authorities and local health boards must consider whether proposed changes are significant enough to trigger consultation duties. If the changes significantly change the objectives of a strategy in a way stakeholders would reasonably expect to comment on, consultation is required to avoid procedural unfairness.

Content of your revised local strategy

Whilst the content or structure of the local strategy is not prescribed, the Act requires that the local strategy must include 3 things. These include:

• setting objectives to contribute to the pursuit of the purpose (prevention, protection and support) of the Act
• specifying the timeframe to achieve those objectives
• identifying the actions to achieve the specified objectives

Your strategy should also:

• set out how the local authority and local health board will contribute and participate in regional commissioning arrangements for designing, planning and delivery of effective VAWDASV services
• clearly set out how you have worked with partner organisations, including third sector specialist organisations, and survivors, to develop your strategy
• include provision for all people and all acts of abuse/violence covered by the Act

Objectives and actions

Under the VAWDASV Act, local strategies must set out both objectives and actions. These are distinct but connected elements of statutory strategic planning.

The Act creates a hierarchy of things that YOU should both describe and do. 

Objectives

Objectives must fall squarely within the powers and duties in the VAWDASV Act, and the functions of the bodies agreeing the strategy. 

Public authorities must confirm:

• the objective is within scope of their legal competence
• they have considered all relevant statutory duties (e.g., equality duty, Welsh language standards, well‑being duties)

Objectives should:

• be based on the factors the statute intends the authority to consider (e.g., needs assessments, evidence of harm, inequalities, strategic priorities)
• be supported by robust evidence, including assessments, analysis, stakeholder input, and statutory data duties
• be written clearly and in plain language, understandable to both decision‑makers and the public
• be specific enough to guide detailed actions (see below)
• directly contribute to the purpose of the VAWDASV Act
• enable meaningful monitoring, reporting and scrutiny

Actions 

The Act requires you to specify the actions as part of the strategy. This means there is a significant need to have developed both the objectives and action during the strategy process. Given the evolving nature of the VAWDASV response it may be that new actions emerge which you consider can make a greater contribution to the purpose and therefore you will want to shift resources to deliver that action. The Act makes provision for you to review the strategy and keep it up to-date. This can include revised or new objectives, and/or revised or amended actions.

Developing your strategy

When developing your revised strategy, you will need to ensure that you undertake some important steps:

1. As the 2 organisations with responsibility for developing the strategy, the local authority/authorities and local health board will need to agree which of them is leading the production of the strategy on behalf of the others in their region/locality.
2. Once decided, the lead should then determine what information they will need, and from whom they will need input. This could include published needs assessments, specific data sets, or evidential reports. It is important at this stage that the lead provider enables engagement from across the sector. This will include specialist and non-specialist third sector organisations, as well as other interested groups including, but not limited to, young people, older people, faith groups etc.
3. They will then need to collate the evidence and data gathered from across the region to determine the priorities for the strategy.
4. Ensure that the appropriate partners are engaged at this point.  This is especially true with regard to including the views of survivors to ensure the strategy is trauma informed.
5. A local strategy may include objectives for any public authority, voluntary organisation or other person who may be contributing to delivery. For example, a third sector domestic abuse service provider in a local authority area may wish to undertake a joint awareness raising campaign with the local authority and relevant local health board. If all parties were in agreement, details of this action could be included in the local strategy for that area.
6. Once the strategy is drafted, it should be checked against the priorities within the latest Welsh Government VAWDASV Strategy, before undergoing formal scrutiny through internal processes.
7. The strategy will then need to issue for a formal consultation.
8. Once finalised, it is good practice to submit the strategy to the Welsh Government and National Adviser for further scrutiny, but there is no statutory requirement to do so.
9. Prior to publication, the strategy will need to be formally signed and agreed by the chief executives of each of the relevant authorities to which it relates.
10. Once the strategy is published there will need to be a clear monitoring and evaluation process put into place, in consultation with the Welsh Government.

Deepening the understanding and action on VAWDASV in your organisation 

For these strategies to be truly effective, integrating efforts to address VAWDASV must become an inherent part of the operational practices of your organisation and region.

VAWDASV affects all aspects of operations. Addressing this issue requires a thorough understanding of its implications for service delivery. Meaningful change will only occur through transforming our established practices. 

You must consider how every service you provide affects survivors of VAWDASV. Whether shaping housing policy, introducing health measures, or prioritising mental health services, it is important to assess the impact on those affected by VAWDASV.

Only by changing the way service delivery is approached can the impact of VAWDASV be reduced. The challenge of VAWDASV is not isolated to others; it concerns everyone collectively. VAWDASV is not someone else’s problem, it is everybody’s problem, and it will take everybody to make the difference needed. 

Ensuring that individuals working in the sector understand their roles and responsibilities is a vital part of this. Only with this knowledge can change happen. Effective training is a crucial element of this. The National Training Framework (NTF) is aimed at fundamentally improving the understanding of the general workforce, and therefore the response to those who experience VAWDASV. 

This change must be initiated at the highest levels of leadership, influencing senior decision makers throughout all organisations. It is imperative that CEOs and Directors recognise the significant impact of VAWDASV on the nation and take responsibility for addressing it. Proactive efforts are required to prevent further harm, including trauma to children and the perpetuation of misogyny and harmful concepts of masculinity among men and boys. The NTF includes elements that are specifically aimed at the higher ranks of service delivery, and it is imperative that leaders in positions of authority understand how the work they do can influence and improve services for those directly and indirectly affected by VAWDASV. Where they fail to do so, they must be held accountable.

Local authorities and local health boards have a clear duty to address VAWDASV. They can be held accountable if they do not make the changes needed to improve outcomes. Therefore, monitoring of delivery must be increased, and the impact of that delivery must be formally evaluated, both by the Welsh Government and the relevant authorities.

We need to listen, and we need to act. 

It is essential that services are shaped by the perspectives and experiences of individuals who are directly impacted by VAWDASV. Therefore, when formulating or revising a strategy, engaging with those individuals is essential to ensure that any proposed measures are appropriate. 

Partnership and collaboration

The relevant authorities, as stipulated within the VAWDASV Act, local authorities, local health boards, fire and rescue authorities and NHS trusts must prioritise VAWDASV and recognise the importance of working collectively to ensure individuals affected by VAWDASV are provided with appropriate joined-up services.

However, it is important when developing local strategies that the relevant authorities work together in partnership. The exact arrangements put in place to discharge their duties are for the relevant authorities to determine, but the following must be considered:

• Local authorities (all services impacted by VAWDASV, including but not limited to social services, education, housing, housing, planning, leisure, transport, community safety, and economic development services)
• Local health boards (all services impacted by VAWDASV, including but not limited to primary care, community services, secondary and specialist care, and mental health services)
• Fire and rescue authority
• National Health Service trust
• Police and criminal justice representatives, including probation services.
• Housing and homelessness support
• Third sector specialist services
• Counselling and support services
• Survivors impacted by VAWDASV

Roles and Responsibilities

It is important in developing your strategy that all organisations understand their roles and responsibilities and how these are intertwined.

Input

Prior to preparing your strategy you will need to collect evidence and data. All partners across health, education, social services, housing, third sector specialist services, relevant authorities, police etc., will have a role in helping to collate this information.

Development

Local authorities, local health boards, and regional advisors will each have a role in preparing and developing the local strategy.

Scrutiny

Survivors, third sector specialist services and regional boards will have an important role in scrutinising and challenging the content and targets within the local strategy.

Delivery

Local authorities, local health boards, relevant authorities, and contracted specialist services will have a role in delivering the targets within the local strategy.

Responsibility

Overall responsibility for the production and delivery of the local strategy and its contents lies with the local authorities and local health boards.

Engagement 

In developing your local strategy, it is vitally important that you ensure that the voices of authentic service users are heard.

There are several organisations that can help facilitate engagement with under-represented groups:

[to be added following consultation]

You must be conscious in drafting your strategy how it will impact on the following:

• Children and young people
• Older people
• Faith communities
• Disabled people
• Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities
• Migrant victims and those with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
• LGBTQ+ communities
• Authentic service users; both survivors and perpetrators
• Rural communities

When engaging with survivors, or other members of the public it is important to remember that they may require some form of remuneration to cover their time. Do not expect individuals to be willing to engage without it.

Needs assessments

Several different Acts and duties require  local authorities, local health boards, and public service boards to develop robust assessments of need. There is no requirement for relevant authorities to undertake a separate assessment to inform the local strategy for VAWDASV providing those already in existence offer the information needed to determine need effectively.

Section 7(1) outlines a number of matters to which local authorities and local health boards must have regard in preparing or reviewing a local strategy.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• The most recent needs assessment prepared under section 14 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
• Housing Wales Act 2024
• Their local housing strategy
• Their latest report on local economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being prepared under section 37 of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
• Any Strategic Needs Assessment completed as part of the Serious Violence Duty, which would also cover the requirements within the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
• Actions to deliver the Women’s Health plan for Wales.
• Equality Act 2010
• Human Rights Act 1998

The content of these assessments should provide adequate information to guide the formulation of local strategies. Accurate assessment of local needs is fundamental to developing an effective strategy. However, multiple different needs assessments can create confusion and impede progress, so it is vital that the impact of VAWDASV is integrated into these needs assessments at the outset and not as an add on. 

VAWDASV must be embedded within existing processes, not treated as an isolated concern.

Should the Welsh Ministers determine that these assessments are insufficient, the Act grants them the power to make regulations to mandate that a local authority or local health board conduct additional needs assessments.

Data sharing

Accurate assessments depend on the availability of high-quality data. Organisations must share data with each other to improve the accuracy of their assessments. Data sharing is permitted within the boundaries of the General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), and other data protection legislation, where it is conducted fairly, lawfully, transparently, and with appropriate security and protection measures in place.

All organisations must adhere to UK GDPR and other data protection legislation when delivering services to support VAWDASV. Only through working together, sharing information, and delivering services in tandem can we begin to address the impacts of VAWDASV on our nation.

When undertaking duties under the VAWDASV Act data which feeds into local strategies is collected by several different partners across the sector, and it is vitally important that all of these partners be able and willing to share data with others. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Police Violence Against Women and Girls and Rape and Serious Sexual Offense Problem Profiles
• Serious Violence Duty data (strategic needs assessment)
• Community Safety Partnership Data
• Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences. Multi-Agency Tasking and Coordination Processes, and Multi-Agency Public Protection Processes.
• Youth Offending Services
• Third sector data
• Health data
• ONS data

Commissioning

Statutory Guidance for the Commissioning of VAWDASV Services in Wales is available to support the commissioning by relevant authorities of specialist advice or other assistance relating to gender-based violence, domestic abuse, or sexual violence. It is intended to provide a strategic focus on these issues and ensure consistent consideration of preventative, protective and support mechanisms in the delivery of services.

Scrutiny 

Once a local strategy has been prepared it should be scrutinised thoroughly. Section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 provides for the appointment of a scrutiny committee within the local authority. It may be appropriate for these committees to scrutinise the local strategies to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the targets and objectives within it, and the proposed outcomes and impact of the strategy in addressing VAWDASV in the local region.

The Act requires local authorities and local health boards to consult with those they deem appropriate prior to publishing their local strategy. The Act leaves it open to local authorities to determine who they feel is appropriate to consult, but as a guide, it is  expected that the following be included:

• Survivors of VAWDASV
• Police forces and police and crime commissioners
• Probation services
• Education services
• Local authorities (including all services impacted by VAWDASV, including but not limited to education, housing, social services, housing, planning, leisure, transport, community safety, and economic development services.
• Local health boards (including all services impacted by VAWDASV, including but not limited to primary care, community services, secondary and specialist care, and mental health services
• Welsh Government.
• Fire and rescue authority
• National Health Service trust
• Police and criminal justice representatives, including probation services
• Housing and homelessness support
• Third sector specialist services
• Counselling and support Services

In addition, meaningful consultation should seek the perspectives of individuals and organisations working with children, youth, families, and older people, as well as representatives from health and social care. Consideration should also be given to inviting feedback from community groups, faith leaders, and advocates for minoritised or marginalised populations, in order to ensure the strategy reflects the diversity of needs and experiences within the area.

You may also find it useful to undertake a peer assessment with other regions.

The insights gained from these consultations not only strengthen the strategy’s relevance and responsiveness but also foster a sense of shared ownership, enhancing community engagement and support for its implementation.

You may find it useful to speak to specialist sector organisations (for example Welsh Women’s Aid, Bawso and Llais)  who can provide an avenue for consultation with survivors and others affected by VAWDASV.

Input from people affected by VAWDASV is essential to ensure local strategies address real, rather than perceived, needs. The National Survivor Voice, Scrutiny and Involvement Panel may provide effective scrutiny and challenge.

Publishing local strategies

Local strategies must be published as soon as possible following a review of the existing strategy.

Agreement by local authorities and local health boards separately to the strategy.

Alternatively, a local strategy or revised strategy may be included within a local well-being plan published under section 39 of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 by a public services board of which both the local authority and the local health board is a member.

Monitoring and evaluation

Relevant authorities must put in place robust monitoring processes to track and report on the effective delivery of the local strategy. In accordance with section 13 of the Act, a local authority and local health board must publish, in respect of each financial year, a report of the progress they have made in achieving the objectives specified in their local strategy.

Whilst there is no requirement under the Act for local strategies to be submitted to the Welsh Government, it would be good practice to do so. 

Reporting on progress

The Act requires local authorities and local health boards to publish an annual report of progress setting out how they have achieved the objectives in their strategy. This annual progress report must be published as soon as reasonably practicable following the end of the financial year to which the report relates, but no later than 31^st December.

In the year following an ordinary local government election, when a new strategy is being prepared and published there is no requirement to also produce an annual report. The new or revised strategy must set out the progress made in achieving the objectives in the previous strategy and the extent to which those objectives have been met. 

The Act does not state the structure and content for annual reports, but in the context of the duties to prepare, review and implement strategies, Local Authorities and Local Health Boards the annual progress report should: 

• be agreed by both the local authority and local health board, and
• be sent to the Welsh Ministers, the VAWDASV National Adviser. 

Role of the National Adviser

The National Adviser may be able to assist and advise local authorities and local health boards on the development and review of their strategies to ensure consistent high quality strategic planning on these issues and improve coordination and consistency. The National Adviser can offer scrutiny of the strategies needs assessments and support the analysis of the needs assessment to inform robust objectives.

Duty to implement local strategies

Once the local strategy has been approved, focus should turn towards its effective implementation. The VAWDASV Act makes it clear that both a local authority and local health board must, in exercising its functions, take all reasonable steps to achieve the objectives specified in the most recently published local strategy for its area.

In so doing, both the local authority and local health board should work with their external partners, including the specialist service sector, and non-devolved organisations.

The core duty in the Act is that you must set objectives which contribute to the pursuit of the purpose of the VAWDASV Act. 

Accountability

Section 5 of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Act obligates both local authorities and local health boards to collaboratively develop a local strategy for the Local Authority’s area. However, the creation of these strategies should not be viewed as an end in itself. Achieving the objective of making Wales a safe environment for women and girls requires that these strategies be translated into meaningful and timely action. Furthermore, effective implementation depends upon establishing clear accountability measures.

Chief executives of the relevant authorities are expected to assume responsibility for these matters. Welsh Ministers have a duty under section 4 of the Act in fulfilling its obligations to address VAWDASV, should ensure that appropriate accountability measures are enforced.

Each local strategy should be endorsed by the Chief executives of the relevant authorities within the respective area or region. If a strategy involves multiple agencies, it is expected that each local authority formally signs the strategy, thereby acknowledging and accepting responsibility for fulfilling its requirements within their area. 

Direction-making Powers

Welsh Ministers have 2 direction powers in the Act.

Welsh Ministers have a power to direct a local authority and local health board to review their local strategy. They will do so in writing. 

Should a local authority or local health board opt to establish an alternative policy to this guidance, they are required to ensure that all statutory obligations under the Act are clearly defined and communicated. Non-compliance may prompt Welsh Ministers to issue legally binding directions, mandating specific responses from the local authority or local health board.

The use of direction-making powers will be reserved for instances where there is compelling evidence of significant deviation from the objectives of the Act. Such directions will be provided in writing and made publicly available to maintain transparency, and public authorities will be legally mandated to adhere to them.

Failure to comply with written directions may lead Welsh Ministers to seek judicial enforcement, which could include contempt proceedings or court-ordered completion of required actions at the expense of the respective authority.

Relevant acts and duties

Other relevant legislation

We recognise that service providers may face challenges in fulfilling their responsibilities under the Act while also addressing obligations associated with several other legislative priorities. Below is a list of the primary acts which include duties directly connected to the implementation of VAWDASV. When developing local strategies, it is essential to consider the potential overlaps and combined effects of these legislative requirements.

• Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, specifically sections 14 and 15 (relates to section 7 of the Act)
• Housing (Wales) Act 2014
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021
• Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
• Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c.37), namely section 6 (relates to section 7 of the Act)
• Sexual Offences Act (2003)
• Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003) (as amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015)
• Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007
• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Equality Act 2010 and the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulation 2011
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• Worker Protection (Amendment to the Equality Act 2010) Act 2023

Related policies

Serious Violence Duty

The Serious Violence Duty mandates local authorities to collaborate in identifying and addressing serious violence, including domestic abuse and sexual offences, through strategic planning and consultation with relevant educational, prison, and youth custody bodies. A significant portion of violent crimes are linked to domestic abuse, and local strategies should incorporate measures to tackle such offences. There is a clear overlap in risk factors for youth, gang, and intimate partner violence, such as child abuse, poor supervision, and substance abuse, advocating for early intervention and prevention. Strategies should also consider the impact on children and their adverse experiences due to the lasting effects of childhood domestic and sexual abuse.

In drafting their local strategies to tackled VAWDASV, regulated authorities should consider how these fit within the wider responsibilities of the Serious Violence Duty.

Women’s Health Plan for Wales

Created by the National Strategic Clinical Network for Women’s Health, the plan sets out how NHS organisations in Wales will close the gender health gap by providing better health services for women, ensuring they are listened to, and their health needs are understood.

VAWDASV is one of eight priority areas within the plan, which includes short, medium, and long-term goals. The way these goals are being addressed, and the impacts intended in addressing them, should be supported through these local strategies to address VAWDASV.

UN CEDAW 

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is the international human rights treaty that focuses specifically on equality between women and men in all areas of life. It is often referred to as the ‘women’s bill of rights.’  The UK ratified CEDAW in 1986. By accepting the Convention, the UK has committed itself to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including: 

• incorporating the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolishing all discriminatory laws, and adopting appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women
• establishing tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination
• ensuring elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organisations, or enterprises