Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015

A Government Bill, introduced by Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Local Government and Government Business. Following a change in ministerial portfolios in September 2014, the First Minister authorised Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Public Services, as the new Member in Charge of the Bill, from 12 September 2014. The Business Committee remitted the Bill to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.

During Stage 2 proceedings on 22 January 2015, the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee agreed to amend the short title of the Bill from Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill to Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill (amendment 82).

About the Bill

The provisions of the Bill intended to ensure a focus across the public sector on the prevention of these issues, the protection of victims and the support for those affected by such issues.

The Bill intended to place duties on the Welsh Ministers, County and County Borough Councils (“Local Authorities”) and Local Health Boards to prepare and publish strategies aimed at ending domestic abuse, gender-based violence and sexual violence. The Bill further provided a power to the Welsh Ministers to issue guidance to relevant authorities on how they should exercise their functions with a view to contributing to ending domestic abuse, gender-based violence and sexual violence. The Bill contained provision for the appointment of a Ministerial Adviser.

Current Stage

The Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 (external website) became law in Wales on 29 April 2015 (external website).

Record of Passage in the National Assembly for Wales

The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the National Assembly for Wales.

Stage

Documents

Bill introduced -30 June 2014

Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF 119KB)

Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 438KB)

Presiding Officer’s Statement: 30 June 2014

(PDF 127KB)

Business Committee’s Report on the timetable for consideration of the Bill (PDF 64.2KB)

Legislative Glossary - Welsh Language Version Only (PDF 115KB)

Stage 1 – Committee considerations of general principles

Public Consultation: The Committee issued a call for evidence, which closed on 5 September 2014.

The Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:

23 October 2014 (private)

5 November 2014 (private)

Correspondence from the Minister for Local Government and Government Business:

9 July 2014 (PDF 13.7KB)

31 July 2014 (PDF 102KB)

29 August 2014 (PDF 556KB)

Committee Stage 1 Report (PDF 608KB)

Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee Report (PDF 305KB)

Welsh Glossary (Only available in Welsh) (PDF 115KB)

Stage 1 – Debate in Plenary on general principles

A debate took place in Plenary on 25 November 2014. The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed.

Financial Resolution

A Financial Resolution in relation to the Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 25 November 2014.

Stage 2 – Committee consideration of amendments

Stage 2 consideration took place in Committee on 22 January 2015.

Notice of Amendments: 26 November 2014PDF 156KB

Welsh Government - Purpose and Effect table: 26 November 2014 (PDF 81.9KB)

Notice of Amendments: 10 December 2014 (PDF 64.3 KB)

Notice of Amendments: 5 January 2015 (PDF 69.0 KB)

Welsh Government – Purpose and Effect table: 5 January 2015 (PDF 68.2KB)

Notice of Amendments: 9 January 2015, v2(PDF 78.7KB)

Notice of Amendments: 13 January 2015 (PDF 69.5 KB)

Notice of Amendments: 14 January 2015 (PDF 116KB)

Notice of Amendments: 15 January 2015 v2

(PDF 155KB)

Marshalled List of Amendments: 22 January 2015, v5

Groupings of Amendments, v2

Concise Minutes: 22 January 2015

Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 2 (PDF 116KB)

Revised Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 786KB)

Research Service Bill Summary 2 (PDF 155KB)

Stage 3 – Plenary consideration of amendments

Following the completion of Stage 2 proceedings, Stage 3 commenced on 23 January 2015. Details of tabled amendments for consideration in Plenary on 3 March 2015 are published here.

Notice of Amendments: 18 February 2015
(PDF 92.1KB)

Notice of Amendments: 20 February 2015 v2(PDF 72.5KB)

Welsh Government – Purpose and Effect table: 20 February 2015 v2 (PDF 85.3KB)

Notice of Amendments: 23 February 2015

(PDF 70.0KB)

Notice of Amendments: 24 February 2015

(PDF 79.7KB)

Welsh Government – Purpose and Effect table: 24 February 2015 (PDF 39.5KB)

Marshalled List of Amendments: 3 March 2015 (PDF 132.5KB)

Groupings of Amendments (PDF 68.1KB)

Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 3 (PDF 120KB)

Stage 4 – Passing of the Bill in Plenary

The Bill was agreed by the Assembly in accordance with SO 12.36 on 10 March 2015.

Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill, as passed

PDF 120KB

Post-stage 4

The Attorney General (PDF 444KB), Counsel General (PDF 144KB )and Secretary of State for Wales (PDF 15.8KB) wrote to the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Assembly to advise that they would not be referring the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill to the Supreme Court under Sections 112 or 114 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

Date of Royal Assent

Royal Assent was given on 29 April 2015.(PDF 15.8KB)

Contact information

This bill was remitted to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee

Clerk: Sarah Beasley

Phone: 0300 200 6565

Email: contact@Assembly.Wales

Business type: Bill

Reason considered: Government Business;

Status: For consideration

First published: 30/06/2014

Documents

Consultations

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

Topics

Helpful Links

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