£4.4m investment to tackle domestic violence

The assembly government has pledged £4.4m to tackle domestic violence

A £4.4m investment is being made to help female victims of domestic violence.

The assembly government announcement comes on the international day for the elimination of violence against women.

The money will be used to address violence against women including sexual assault, domestic abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

Social Justice Minister, Carl Sargeant said: "More needs to be done to eradicate this heinous crime."

The money had already been put aside by the assembly government but it has been confirmed that the £4.4m sum for 2011/12 will be protected from any spending cuts.

'Crucial area'

Social Justice Minister, Carl Sargeant said the assembly government had an ongoing commitment to tackling violence against women and domestic abuse.

"Tackling domestic abuse and violence against women is one of my top priorities and that is why I have protected this crucial area of work in the draft budget," he said.

"We have come along way in tackling violence against women but I recognise more needs to be done to eradicate this heinous crime.

"This is a big challenge but by protecting the budget we can continue to work with our partners to make women and children safer."

The assembly government launched their 'Right to be Safe' violence against women strategy in March.

The six-year strategy addresses all forms of violence against women in Wales including rape and sexual assault, domestic abuse, honour based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

The money will also be used to expand services offered by the Wales Domestic Abuse helpline.

Wales will also get it's first Anti Human Trafficking Co-ordinator with the launch of a new project to tackle prostitution and trafficking in north Wales.

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said more than £28m had been ringfenced across England and Wales for specialist services to tackle violence against women and girls.

Visiting Cardiff Women's Aid, she said: "Cardiff Women's Aid, through their women's rights education and advocacy project, are already working hard in this area to increase the knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse within the local community.

"We must work together to put a stop to these vicious crimes and make sure that everyone in society sees that domestic violence is not only wrong, but totally unacceptable."