Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s observations on the five specific questions raised on the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 are noted below. 

We feel that as a Fire and Rescue Service we have an important role to play in promoting VAWDASV awareness, supporting high profile events such as White Ribbon and in ensuring our staff have the necessary training and support so that they are aware and can ‘Ask and Act’ as appropriate. 

There are some areas of the Act that we have a lesser role but we will continue to support our partners who have responsibility for delivering these improvements.

1.1 To what extent the approach to tackling violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence is improving as a result of the obligations in the Act?

The Act has provided an all Wales focus for Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence and has delivered a training framework for public services to use in raising awareness and knowledge across all employees.  This has provided a standard approach for the Fire and Rescue Service and training materials to raise awareness.

1.2 What are the most effective methods of capturing the views and experiences of survivors? Are arrangements in place to capture these experiences, and to what extent is this information being used to help inform the implementation of the Act’s provisions?

Raising awareness of Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence within the community will encourage survivors to share their experiences.  Any information provided to the Fire and Rescue Service during the course of our work will be referred appropriately.

1.3 Whether survivors of abuse are beginning to experience better responses from public authorities as a result of the Act, particularly those needing specialist services?

Capturing this information could be achieved through standard evaluation of survivor experiences

1.4 Whether the National Adviser has sufficient power and independence from the Welsh Government to ensure implementation of the Act?

The Fire and Rescue Services relationship with the National Advisor has been limited to the provision of advice and guidance on the implementation of the training framework.  The National Advisor has been very supportive in this role.

1.5 To what extent the good practice guide to healthy relationships is successfully influencing the development of a whole school approach to challenging violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence?

Fire and Rescue Service is unable to comment directly on the guide but our experience of schools’ education to influence and educate on our traditional areas of focus has seen very positive outcomes.