Joyce says ‘Stand up against epidemic of abuse towards women and girls’

A local Senedd Member has urged people to stand up against an ‘epidemic’ of violence and abuse towards women.

Joyce Watson MS has led and spoken at a series of Welsh events to mark White Ribbon Day (25 November), the international day to end violence towards women and girls.

Joyce Watson MS (Mid and West Wales) said:

“I am urging people to stand up against an epidemic of violence and abuse towards women and girls.

“The figures are stark. Harassment, abuse and violence remains a daily occurrence for many women.”

in July, the National Police Chiefs Council and College of Policing described violence against women and girls as a ‘national emergency’.

Welsh police reported more than 45,000 cases of domestic abuse in 2022/23, with many more unrecorded.

The NSPCC found that one in five children has experienced domestic violence, with Childline Cardiff holding 4,000 counselling sessions in the past year.

Mrs Watson continued:

“Two million women in the UK are victims of male violence every year, and tragically, some pay the ultimate price.

“So far in 2024 at least 73 women and girls have died in the UK at the hands of men, or a man is the main suspect in their death.

“Their ages ranged from eight to 96, and three of them were from Wales.

“They were all much-loved and they leave behind them devastated families and friends.

“Ending violence and abuse requires all of us to take a stand.”

Joyce Watson MS was the keynote speaker at the candlelight service at Llandaff Cathedral. She organised the first White Ribbon interfaith service in 2005 in her previous role, before she became an Assembly Member in 2007.

Upon election she set up the annual vigil at the Welsh Parliament, then in 2012 she began working with the Women’s Institute on the Not in my Name campaign. This raises awareness and recruit male ambassadors to make the White Ribbon promise to ’never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women’.

The Welsh Labour Government is committed to a Wales which is the safest place in Europe to be a woman.

The ‘Sound’ campaign is working with men and boys across Wales, empowering them to stand up against misogyny where they see it. The Sound team discuss healthy relationships, safe spaces for men to ask tough questions and positive masculinity.

The UK Labour government has set an ambitious target to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.

White Ribbon Day, also known as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is on 25 November each year and begins 16 Days of Activism, with further events running through to Human Rights Day on December 10th.