Prevention is key to tackling domestic violence - German

3.19.47pm GMT Wed 7th Dec 2005

Mike German AM today puts the spotlight on domestic abuse in the final debate before AMs move to their new chamber.

A shocking one in four women, and one in six men will be effected by domestic violence in their lifetime, according the British Crime Survey. But there are growing facilities to meet the needs of victims.

In the debate Mr German will welcome the additional funding for domestic abuse in next year's Assembly budget, and called on the government to focus its efforts on prevention.

"Tackling domestic abuse in the long term demands preventative steps," he said.

"Anti-violence education in schools and other programmes that educate children about healthy relationships and effective conflict resolution skills are important preventive measures.

"Like any long term solution, the root causes of the problem must be addressed. Information must be accessible to all people - which means that it must be available in a range of formats and languages and be culturally relevant.

"The real challenge for Wales is to invest in prevention, and to keep shining a light on an issue that thrives in the dark."

Mr German won the weekly ballot to choose the subject of the last debate, and picked the subject following a meeting with a victim at a recent surgery.

He will tell AMs: "A couple of months ago a young woman came to my surgery, obviously very distressed at the circumstances she found herself in. She talked about how she was being treated by her partner. She didn't want to contact the Police, clearly didn't feel she could leave but didn't know what else to do.

"I suggested a number of helplines which may assist, and provide far better information and advice than I or I suspect any of us could. But that one example highlighted to me the impossible predicament that many find themselves in."