Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has raised serious concerns about contradictory answers provided by Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and the Welsh Government, regarding the availability of women’s refuges in North Wales that support victims of abuse and exploitation who also struggle with drug and alcohol issues.
Responding to the question by Mrs Finch-Saunders as to why there is no women's refuge in North Wales that can house women who are victims of both sexual assault and exploitation, and drug addiction, the Cabinet Secretary stated “A number of refuges across Wales, including in north Wales, can and do accommodate individuals with these experiences.”
However, after further correspondence, the Welsh Government has stated, in relation to the request by Mrs Finch-Saunders for the names of the refuges, that “Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you require is not held by the Welsh Government.”
Commenting on the availability of refuges in North Wales for women who are victims of both sexual assault and exploitation, and drug addiction, Janet said:
“This lack of transparency is deeply troubling, but even more concerning is the potential reality that there are no safe spaces specifically designed to support some of the most vulnerable women in North Wales, those fleeing abuse, human trafficking, and severe addiction.“If such refuges do exist, clarity is needed on how many there are and how women in need can access them. If they do not exist, this represents a significant failure to provide essential support for some of the most at-risk individuals in our communities.
“It is completely unacceptable for the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Welsh Government to be providing me with contradictory information. I call on them to urgently clarify this issue and ensure that the necessary services are in place to protect and support vulnerable women across North Wales”.
ENDS
Written Question by Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Cabinet Secretary set out the reasons as to why there is no women's refuge in north Wales that can house women who are victims of both sexual assault and exploitation, and drug addiction?
Response from Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice: “The statement that there are no refuge spaces in north Wales that can house women who have experienced sexual assault, exploitation and substance misuse is not correct. A number of refuges across Wales, including in north Wales, can and do accommodate individuals with these experiences.
Response from Janet Finch-Saunders: Further to WQ95462, will the Cabinet Secretary name the refuge spaces in north Wales that can house women who have experienced sexual assault, exploitation and substance misuse?
Response from the Cabinet Secretary: We are treating the Member’s information request as a Freedom of Information Act request and we will respond according to the normal FOI process.
Welsh Government response to the Freedom of Information Request:
“Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the
information you require is not held by the Welsh Government.”
