The national steering committee on violence against women has met on seven occasions since its establishment in December 1997. The interdepartmental committee, which assists the steering committee in addressing the recommendations of the task force on violence against women, has met on four occasions.
Priority has been given, in the first instance, to overseeing the establishment of regional committees in each of the health board areas and this was finalised in May. The regional committees, which consist of a wide range of groups from the public, community and voluntary sectors, will act as a focus in drawing up an assessment of existing services and needs in the region, a strategy for meeting these needs and an implementation plan, including service targets in terms of delivery and development. The regional committees, under the direction of the national steering committee, will also oversee the development of local networks to ensure that local service providers adopt a community-based approach, including interagency co-ordination of services and sharing of information.
It is intended, when the regional committees are firmly established, that there will be a public awareness campaign aimed at the prevention of violence. Such a campaign is being developed by the national steering committee with a view to its implementation later in the year.
Included within the remit of the steering committee is the publication of periodic reports. A report on the implementation of the task force recommendations to date is being prepared for publication in the near future.
