Update on the VAWG recommendations

WQ.30/2025

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 27th JANUARY 2025

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2025

Question

"Will the Minister provide an update on the progress being made in implementing the recommendations made in the The issue of violence against women and girls in Jersey' report published by the Taskforce on Violence against Women and Girls?"

Answer

I am pleased to be able to update Deputy Doublet and members on this issue.

Progress has been made across the VAWG recommendations since the Taskforce published its report in November 2023, with some recommendations met and the remainder ongoing.

Completed recommendations include:

• A review of follow-on accommodation for victim-survivors, published and with its conclusions accepted in November 2024 by the Minister for Housing (Recommendation 59)

• The introduction of a financial concession for migrant victim-survivors without five-years residency and new thresholds for the Indefinite Leave to Remain (Domestic Abuse) application (Recommendation 49

& 56)

• Public information and guidance on online and technology-facilitated abuse published in September 2024 – Online and technology-facilitated abuse (Recommendation 13)

• Guidance on the mandatory reporting duties around female genital mutilation for health professionals created (Recommendation 9)

• The It's Not Okay' campaign against street harassment ran in December 2024, with a focus on 16- to 25-year-olds, targeted via social media and posters distributed throughout schools – Learn about street harassment, how to stop it and where to report it or get support (Recommendation 7) (It should be noted that throughout 2025, where there are opportunities to update the media and other stakeholders on VAWG progress, public updates will be given as and when appropriate.)

• The Taskforce Report's recommendations were included in the Jersey Schools Review Framework, as well as developing a VAWG Schools Toolkit in consultation with schools via the Education Sub-group (Recommendation 76)

• Delivered training on the indicators of VAWG for immigration officers, as well as implementing targeted enquiry procedures within the Customs & Immigration Service (Recommendation 55)

The recommendations currently being progressed include:

• The development of a VAWG Dataset, currently scheduled for end of Q1 2025 and planned for further release every quarter (Recommendation 3)

• Training has been commissioned for training on online and technology-facilitated abuse for delivery between Q2 to Q3 2025 (Recommendation 12)

• An independent Criminal Justice System Review, currently planned for publication in early September 2025 (Recommendation 15)

• A VAWG Health Working Group convened to implement a plan for the recommendations concerning health services, as agreed by the Minister for Health & Social Services (Recommendations 40 – 46 & 48)

• Training on the relationship between domestic abuse and animal abuse for all veterinary staff, which is planned to between Q2 to Q3 2025 (Recommendation 47)

• Training on perpetrator management for public services, which is currently out for tender (Recommendation 68)

• A campaign for raising awareness of coercive controlling behaviour, scheduled for release in early March (Recommendation 73)

Law drafting instructions to meet the legislative recommendations are currently being developed, some are already with the Legislative Drafting Office. It is currently anticipated that all will be lodged within 2025. This includes-

• Strengthening of legislation to address online and technology-facilitated abuse (Recommendation 11)

• Amendment to the Domestic Abuse (Jersey) Law 2022 concerning the introduction of pre-conviction emergency barring orders (Recommendation 24)

• Introduction of a non-fatal strangulation offence (Recommendation 25)

• Introduction of a law to address stalking and related behaviours (Recommendation 26)

In view of the VAWG Taskforce Report recommendations being accepted on 11th March 2024, an annual report is planned for publication which will provide greater detail on the implementation of all recommendations.