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£1m extra to fight domestic abuse £1m extra to fight domestic abuse
(40 minutes later)
An extra £1m is being made available to tackle all forms of violence against women in Wales, under a new strategy to be unveiled by the assembly government. An extra £1m is being made available to tackle all forms of violence against women, under a new strategy to be unveiled by the assembly government.
Social Justice Minister Carl Sargeant said £4.4m now would be spent this year targeting abuse from rape to domestic abuse and "honour" violence.Social Justice Minister Carl Sargeant said £4.4m now would be spent this year targeting abuse from rape to domestic abuse and "honour" violence.
Welsh Women's Aid said it was a step forward in recognising such violence as "a form of gender inequality".Welsh Women's Aid said it was a step forward in recognising such violence as "a form of gender inequality".
The strategy also aims to raise awareness about male victims.The strategy also aims to raise awareness about male victims.
According to the Home Office, around 10,000 women in England and Wales are sexually assaulted and 2,000 are raped every week.According to the Home Office, around 10,000 women in England and Wales are sexually assaulted and 2,000 are raped every week.
The assembly government said its Right to be Safe Strategy, launched at a Women's Aid refuge later, aims to tackle a "culture of acceptance of violence against women" whether in the home, in the community or for cultural reasons.The assembly government said its Right to be Safe Strategy, launched at a Women's Aid refuge later, aims to tackle a "culture of acceptance of violence against women" whether in the home, in the community or for cultural reasons.
THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE Expanding services of Wales Domestic Abuse helplineStronger focus on forced marriage, 'honour' based violence and female genital mutilation issuesCampaign with NUS Cymru on personal safety for studentsWork with British Transport Police on protection available for women on rail transport and railway stationsFinancial training for key refuge staff and independent domestic abuse advisors to offer informed financial advice to victimsSource: Welsh Assembly GovernmentTHE RIGHT TO BE SAFE Expanding services of Wales Domestic Abuse helplineStronger focus on forced marriage, 'honour' based violence and female genital mutilation issuesCampaign with NUS Cymru on personal safety for studentsWork with British Transport Police on protection available for women on rail transport and railway stationsFinancial training for key refuge staff and independent domestic abuse advisors to offer informed financial advice to victimsSource: Welsh Assembly Government
It said it plans to work with local government, criminal justice agencies and, on certain matters, with the UK government, to challenge attitudes and improve the response that victims in Wales receive.It said it plans to work with local government, criminal justice agencies and, on certain matters, with the UK government, to challenge attitudes and improve the response that victims in Wales receive.
In his ministerial forward to the strategy, Mr Sargeant said: "Violence against women constitutes a serious violation of the human rights of women and girls and is a major obstacle to the achievement of equality between women and men."In his ministerial forward to the strategy, Mr Sargeant said: "Violence against women constitutes a serious violation of the human rights of women and girls and is a major obstacle to the achievement of equality between women and men."
He said the assembly government was committed to tackling "this persistent form of inequality for women".He said the assembly government was committed to tackling "this persistent form of inequality for women".
He said: "We have come a long way in tackling violence against women but I recognise more needs to be done and by working with our partners we will make women and their children safer.He said: "We have come a long way in tackling violence against women but I recognise more needs to be done and by working with our partners we will make women and their children safer.
"This is a big challenge and our new strategy sets out what we intend to do over the next six years to address this ongoing problem.""This is a big challenge and our new strategy sets out what we intend to do over the next six years to address this ongoing problem."
CASE STUDY A woman's storyCASE STUDY A woman's story
Her partner became violent when she began to ask for money towards bills and to refuse sex demanded when and where he wanted.Her partner became violent when she began to ask for money towards bills and to refuse sex demanded when and where he wanted.
"I had never said no before. I know what it's like to be pulled by the roots of my hair from every room in the house. He would do that so he wouldn't leave any marks."I had never said no before. I know what it's like to be pulled by the roots of my hair from every room in the house. He would do that so he wouldn't leave any marks.
"I've had a knife to my throat so many times. I have suffered verbal abuse that can not be repeated. The violence was so bad I flipped and went to the kitchen, got a butcher's knife and tried to kill him. It was then I knew I had to get out."I've had a knife to my throat so many times. I have suffered verbal abuse that can not be repeated. The violence was so bad I flipped and went to the kitchen, got a butcher's knife and tried to kill him. It was then I knew I had to get out.
"I had nowhere to go. Women's Aid was the only place that would give me a roof over my head. They gave me support to get him evicted from my council house which was in my name. Most importantly I felt safe in the refuge. Source: Welsh Women's Aid"I had nowhere to go. Women's Aid was the only place that would give me a roof over my head. They gave me support to get him evicted from my council house which was in my name. Most importantly I felt safe in the refuge. Source: Welsh Women's Aid
The targets include developing a national training strategy to ensure that professionals in all sectors recognise and know how to deal with violence against women and the potential impact on children.The targets include developing a national training strategy to ensure that professionals in all sectors recognise and know how to deal with violence against women and the potential impact on children.
Also, publicity campaigns focused on challenging attitudes will continue to be funded.Also, publicity campaigns focused on challenging attitudes will continue to be funded.
Welsh Women's Aid chief executive Paula Hardy said Mr Sargeant had "shown an early commitment to the violence against women agenda".Welsh Women's Aid chief executive Paula Hardy said Mr Sargeant had "shown an early commitment to the violence against women agenda".
She said: "We also welcome the recognition from the assembly government that stronger guidance is needed for local authorities to safeguard women-only services, and the reviewing of funding streams for children's workers in refuges, both of which are crucial to ensure that women and children fleeing domestic abuse receive the support they so urgently need."She said: "We also welcome the recognition from the assembly government that stronger guidance is needed for local authorities to safeguard women-only services, and the reviewing of funding streams for children's workers in refuges, both of which are crucial to ensure that women and children fleeing domestic abuse receive the support they so urgently need."
The strategy also includes the aim of raising awareness about support services for male victims of domestic abuse.The strategy also includes the aim of raising awareness about support services for male victims of domestic abuse.
It is based on the Dyn (Welsh for man) Project in Cardiff.It is based on the Dyn (Welsh for man) Project in Cardiff.
Co-ordinator Matthew Bailey said: "We're delighted that the work achieved and the expertise developed in the last five years by the Dyn Project in supporting men experiencing domestic abuse in Wales is being recognised."Co-ordinator Matthew Bailey said: "We're delighted that the work achieved and the expertise developed in the last five years by the Dyn Project in supporting men experiencing domestic abuse in Wales is being recognised."