The Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This is the second 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 4 January 2016 is the day appointed for the coming into force of provisions of the Act which are not already in force. These are:

• section 5 (duty to prepare local strategies)

• section 6 (publication and review of local strategies)

• section 7 (matters to which regard must be had in preparing or reviewing a local strategy)

• section 8 (duty to implement local strategies)

• section 13 (annual progress reports by local authorities and Local Health Boards).

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.