Consultation on

Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill

Responses required by September 5^th 2014

GBV 70

Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee

Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill : Stage 1

Response from: Hywel Dda University Health Board

Response from Hywel Dda University Health Board

HDUHB welcomes the Bill and the Welsh Government’s intention to further raise awareness of domestic abuse issues, including gender-based violence and sexual violence.

1. General principles: The Health Board supports the general principles of the Bill, including the publication of local and national strategies, the development of a National Training Framework, and the appointment of a Ministerial Adviser. The Health Board agrees that these would contribute positively to raising awareness of domestic abuse issues, empowering staff members, and would strengthen partnership working at local and national level.

2. Potential barriers: The Health Board acknowledges that costs are associated with some elements of implementation of the Bill, and that these appear to be taken into account. However, costs seem to be based on the current arrangement of 22 Local Authorities, and suggest that some costs be split between LAs and LHBs. If this position changes in light of the Williams Commission report, we would welcome clarity about how this might effect these organisations.

3. Consequences: the Health Board recognises that implementation of the Bill is likely to increase public awareness, and therefore likely to increase the number of service users seeking support, guidance and treatment. We recognise that this could potentially increase the cost of service provision, and would welcome clarity about any plans to help meet this increase.

4. Financial implications: As well as the cost implications mentioned above, the Health Board recognises that in order to release staff to access awareness raising and ‘ask and act’ training, there are costs associated with backfill to meet the requirements of daily service provision. We would welcome clarity about any plans to help meet this increase.

5. Powers: the Health Board recognises the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation, and has no objections to this.