Further to WQ98208, WQ98216 and WQ98204, what assessment does the Welsh Government have of the regional differences in specialist VAWDASV and Children's Domestic Abuse Advisor (CHIDVA) services in north Wales - especially Arfon and Dwyfor Meirionnydd - and south Wales, and what steps are being taken to ensure equal access for children?
I refer to my previous response WQ98216. The Welsh Government does not currently hold comprehensive data on Children’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (CHIDVAs).
We are currently mapping the landscape of all Independent Sexual Violence Advisor and Independent Domestic Violence Advisor roles across Wales, including Children’s Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (CHIDVAs) to support our understanding of how the needs of all survivors and victims are met across Wales. It aligns to the objective of our Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence strategy 2022-26 to provide all victims with equal access to appropriately resourced, high quality, needs-led, strength-based, inter-sectional and responsive services across Wales. This work will include consideration of how services are delivered in Welsh and other languages and the provision of these services across all communities in Wales.
This mapping exercise is ongoing and therefore no final report has been produced. Findings from this work will support ongoing policy development across Welsh Government. This work will improve the intelligence Welsh Government has and may be shared with relevant devolved and non-devolved public bodies in Wales to minimise duplication or gaps in provision.
Local health boards, police and third sector organisations continue to work in partnership to provide timely access to trauma informed services through the Amethyst Sexual Assault Referral Centre in North Wales.