The Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This is the first commencement order made by the Welsh Ministers under the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 (“the Act”).

Article 2 of the Order provides that 5 October 2015 is the day appointed for the coming into force of the provisions of the Act set out in that article and referred to below:

• section 2 (violence against women and girls)

• section 3 (duty to prepare, publish and review a national strategy)

• section 4 (duty to implement the national strategy)

• section 9 (information about educational provision to promote the purpose of this Act)

• section 11 (national indicators)

• section 12 (annual progress reports by the Welsh Ministers)

• section 22 (annual plan and annual reports)

• section 23 (publication of reports)

Sections 1 (the purpose of this Act), 24 (interpretation), 25 (commencement) and 26 (short title) came into force on Royal Assent on 29 April 2015 by virtue of section 25(1) of the Act.

Sections 10 (guidance to further and higher education institutions), 14 (meaning of ”relevant authority”), 15 (power to issue statutory guidance), 16(consultation and National Assembly for Wales procedures), 17 (duty to follow statutory guidance), 18 (policy statements: requirements and ancillary powers), 19 (directions), 20 (National Adviser) and 21 (functions of the Adviser) came into force on 29 June 2015 by virtue of section 25(2) of the Act.