Scrutiny to hold special Public Hearing on Violence Against Women and Girls progress
Scrutiny
15 July 2025
The Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel is holding a special one-off Public Hearing tomorrow (Wednesday 16 July) with the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs focusing on issues surrounding violence against women and girls.In 2022, an independent taskforce to tackle violence against women and girls was established, with the eventual report making 77 recommendations, of which 58 were for the Government of Jersey. In 2024, the Government made fully implementing the recommendations of the VAWG Taskforce report one of its thirteen priorities in its Common Strategic Policy.
Last month, an annual progress report on the work being carried out by Government was released which said that 42 of the recommendations were in progress while a further 14 were marked as either yet to be started or awaiting reporting.
The Panel has arranged this one-off Hearing to understand the work the Government is doing in relation to the VAWG recommendations and receive any planned updates to the legislative framework, policies or guidance in this area, as well as how recommendations are being implemented. The Panel will be asking questions on topics including support services, victim survivor engagement and public awareness and community safety.
Chair of the Panel, Deputy Catherine Curtis, said: ‘Violence against women and girls has rightly been an issue which has gained prevalence in recent years, and we were pleased when the Government included implementing the recommendations of the Taskforce in its core strategic priorities.
‘In doing so, a clear message was sent that Jersey must be a place where women and girls can feel safe, respected and supported. Our role as a Panel is to work collaboratively with government, agencies and the community to ensure the recommendations are not just words on a page but actions that lead to real and lasting change.
‘Our Panel recognises the significance of this work and is committed to supporting its effective and timely implementation. We aim to ensure that the recommendations are not only actioned but embedded in policy and practice and we look forward to questioning the Minister on this important issue.'
Members of the public are invited to attend the hearing on Wednesday 16 July between 1.30pm and 3pm to see first-hand how the Scrutiny process works. The Hearing is being held in the Le Capelain Room of the States Assembly Building and will be streamed live on the States Assembly website and on YouTube.
