On a recent visit to Abergavenny, Leighton Andrews AM, Welsh Government Minister for Public Services, praised the work of the Llamau project which offers support, assistance and advice on domestic abuse. He was accompanied by Welsh Assembly Labour Candidate Catherine Fookes who pledged her determination to contribute towards reducing violence against women and girls.

The project, which works with other community projects to address the linked problems of domestic abuse and homelessness in Monmouthshire, is based at the Abergavenny Multi Agency Centre (MAC). It is managed by Llamau and Women’s Aid, and has received capital funding from the Welsh Government.

The two politicians were visiting the Llamau project in the wake of Recent UK legislation which identifies partner abuse as a specific crime. In April 2015, the Welsh Assembly passed the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act.

Leighton Andrews said: “I was delighted to join Catherine to learn first hand about the important work Llamau is doing on homelessness and domestic abuse in Monmouthshire. This year the Welsh Assembly passed our pioneering Violence Against Women Act which provides greater focus and more support to agencies working in this field.”

Catherine Fookes added: “Domestic Violence blights the lives of so many. Children are too often traumatised and harmed. Homelessness is one of the problems facing already vulnerable victims. I am determined to contribute to reducing violence against women and girls. The Welsh Government has put in place a strong strategic framework with the new Act, and the dedicated work of Llamau is a great example of the work done in the community. ”

Members of Llamau will be at libraries across Monmouthshire in November gathering signatures from adults and handprints from children to pledge their commitment to end violence against women. They will be at Usk library on 10 November, Abergavenny library on 11 November and Chepstow library on 17 November. The signatures and handprints will be hung on trees in various locations, including the MAC in Abergavenny.

Anyone who needs support on domestic abuse can phone the all Wales Domestic Abuse helpline at any time on 0808 80 10 800.