Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to improve support in the justice system for the victims of violence against women and girls in (a) Newport West constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK.

The new Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy will help ensure that women and girls are safe everywhere - at home, online and on the streets. The commitments in the strategy include the introduction of a new full-time National Policing Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls. In addition, Section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 has been rolled out to Crown Courts to enable pre-recorded cross-examination and re-examination for vulnerable witnesses

Also, for 2021-22, the Ministry of Justice will provide just under £151m for victim and witness support services. This funding includes:
• £1m for rape support centres across Wales;
• Over £6.6m for the four Police and Crime Commissioners in Wales - including Gwent, which covers Newport West; and
• Investment in 36 new Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers posts across Wales

All of these services will help victims feel informed and supported at every stage of their recovery journey, including their interaction with the justice system.