Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015

15 Power to issue statutory guidance E+W

(1) The Welsh Ministers may issue guidance to a relevant authority on how the authority should exercise its functions with a view to contributing to the pursuit of the purpose of this Act (“statutory guidance”).

(2) The statutory guidance may, amongst other things, address—

(a) steps an authority may take to increase awareness of, or change attitudes in relation to, gender-based violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence (for example, by designating a member of staff for that purpose or undertaking or assisting with a programme of public education);

(b) the commissioning by relevant authorities of specialist advice or other assistance relating to gender-based violence, domestic abuse or sexual violence;

(c) the circumstances in which it is appropriate for persons acting on behalf of a relevant authority to ask a person if he or she is suffering or at risk of gender-based violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence;

(d) the action that is appropriate where a person acting on behalf of a relevant authority has reason to suspect that a person is suffering or at risk of gender-based violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence;

(e) workplace policies to promote the well-being of employees of relevant authorities who may be affected by gender-based violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence;

(f) training for the members and staff of a relevant authority;

(g) the sharing of information between relevant authorities or by a relevant authority with another person;

(h) co-operation between relevant authorities or between a relevant authority and other persons.

(3) The Welsh Ministers—

(a) may issue statutory guidance to relevant authorities generally or to one or more particular authorities;

(b) may issue different statutory guidance to different relevant authorities;

(c) may revise or revoke statutory guidance by further guidance;

(d) may revoke statutory guidance by issuing a notice to the relevant authority to which it is directed.

(4) The Welsh Ministers must ensure that statutory guidance, or a notice revoking such guidance, states—

(a) that it is issued under this section, and

(b) the date on which it is to take effect.

(5) The Welsh Ministers must arrange for statutory guidance, or a notice revoking such guidance, to be published.