Crime

Six key aims to tackle Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in Wales

Published

4 years ago

May 24, 2022

MINISTER for Social Justice Jane Hutt today unveiled the Welsh Government’s new Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Strategy, highlighting the six aims that the government will set to help end the abhorrent abuse women face.

Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Today, we are committing to making Wales the safest place for women to live fear free. We want to end violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence in Wales.

In committing to this, we must be ambitious, violence against women is not inevitable. That’s why we have set six ambitious targets to work across all areas of our society to end VAWDASV.”

The new VAWDASV strategy outlines six key aims that the Welsh Government, alongside it’s partners in the public and third sector will commit to.

Challenge attitudes to violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence by raising awareness of its impact and consequences.
Increase awareness of the importance of safe, equal and healthy relationships.
Hold those who commit abuse to account and help people who carry out abusive or violent behaviour to change.
Prioritise early intervention and prevention
Provide training to professionals so they are equipped to give effective, timely and appropriate support to victims and survivors.
Provide all victims with equal access to properly-resourced, high-quality support services, wherever they live in Wales.

In order to achieve these key aims, the Minister outlined the immediate action the Government will take, the Minister said: “For us to achieve our 6 key aims set out in the strategy, we need an all-Wales approach, from Government, the public sector, the third sector and the private sector.

Our plan brings together all parts of Welsh society – working together to challenge and change the norms, behaviours and cultures. This is what lies at the root of achieving our ambitions.

Today, I’m outlining the immediate action we will take to deliver on our vision:

We recently created a new Ministerial-led National Partnership Board, which met for the first time yesterday. This board will make sure we deliver on our promises and have oversight of delivery.

We will launch a campaign to tackle street harassment and develop a common approach for police and other agencies to ensure current legislation is used effectively to crack down on street harassment.

Finally, we will develop training to promote healthy relationships right across our society.”

Finally the Minister stated:

“Only a united front, from all sections of society can help us achieve these ambitions, and I’m appealing to everyone today, to commit to ending the abuse, ending the fear and helping us towards achieving a Wales where everyone can truly live fear free.

For some people, this will be uncomfortable, because it challenges what has been seen as ‘normal’ for so long.

Ending violence against women will not be easy.

But, if we take a Team Wales approach we can – and will – succeed.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.