Tuesday 14 June 2022
The Committee for Home Affairs is pleased to publish the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence policy letter.
Early in this political term the Committee identified improving services for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence as one of its strategic priorities.
The Committee is grateful for the contribution of professional stakeholders including the third sector and the support of political colleagues who have influenced the development of the broadened Strategy. It looks forward to this support and collaboration continuing in the development of new and improved services.
Deputy Rob Prow, President of the Committee for Home Affairs, said:
'The Committee is delighted to publish the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy. The Domestic Abuse Strategy has facilitated the co-ordination of critical services to one of the most vulnerable groups in the community for a number of years. Updating the Strategy and improving services continues to be a Committee priority. The Strategy has been developed to align with the Justice Framework and its workstreams will be prioritised through the Justice Action Plan. A priority will be establishing a Sexual Assault Referral Centre. I am hugely grateful that Deputy Aldwell has agreed to be the Committee's lead in this area and I have no doubt that her passion and determination will help to drive action.'
Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Home Affairs Member and elected Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Lead:
'I am delighted to be championing the Committee's domestic abuse and sexual violence agenda. The refreshed Strategy will provide a coordinated community response to these crimes which have a devastating impact and says quite clearly that they will not be tolerated. As a government we have many priorities, reducing the incidents of domestic abuse and sexual violence and supporting survivors when this does occur it has to be a fundamental priority for any civilised society. Domestic Abuse represents one quarter of all violent crime reported in the Bailiwick and it is accepted that both domestic abuse and sexual violence are crimes that are universally under reported. We can make improvements locally and I am absolutely committed to making sure this happens.
'Our Committee's immediate priority is seeing meaningful progress to establishing a SARC. The funds are allocated for a pilot scheme from 2023 and we need to do all we can to make sure we can deliver these critical services as soon as possible - this will need commitment and collaboration across government services.'
The policy letter can be found at www.gov.gg/statesmeetings under the 'Items lodged for future States Meetings' drop-down menu.
