Latest news with #DawnBowden
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
About 25,000 children sexually abused, report shows
The Welsh government is consulting on a long-term strategy for tackling child sexual abuse. An estimated 25,000 children and young people are being sexually abused each year in Wales, with online abuse growing fast. The government said the new ten-year plan aimed at preventing and responding to child sexual abuse is the first comprehensive long-term strategy of its kind in the UK. Children's Minister Dawn Bowden said "the voices of people" affected by sexual abuse will be central to the strategy and how it is delivered. She said she had already engaged with key stakeholders but wanted more individuals, organisations and communities "to share their views and help shape this vital work". I was shut down on grooming gangs, says Welsh Tory leader Grooming gangs survivor wants Wales' own inquiry Spike in child sex exploitation crimes - charity The consultation on the draft strategy runs until September and the government said it then intends the strategy to run until 2035. It said recent research showed approximately 25,000 children in Wales experience some form of sexual abuse each year, but only a fraction of these come to the attention of police or social services. Proposals include encouraging adults who experienced sexual abuse to share their stories and making sure that professionals working with children, families, and adults in Wales understand the long-term impact of child sexual abuse. There are also calls for increase visibility and recognition of support services for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and the setting up of "regional lived experience groups" specifically for adolescents, including those in rural parts of Wales. Welsh ministers said the other UK nations have implemented shorter-term action plans but Wales was the first to develop "a decade-long strategic vision". They said the strategy acknowledged that the scale and nature of child sexual abuse had evolved considerably in recent years, particularly in online spaces. In producing the plans, the government said it had worked with groups such as adult victim-survivors, the NSPCC, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse and Barnardo's to ensure that it was "grounded in lived experience and expert insight". In a statement, Dawn Bowden, the minister for children and social care, said: "By developing the UK's first ten-year strategy in this area, we are demonstrating our unwavering commitment to protecting children and supporting survivors throughout their lives. "The voices of people who have been affected by sexual abuse are central to this strategy and how it is delivered." Welsh ministers also said they will be "fully engaging" with the England and Wales inquiry into the sexual exploitation and abuse of children by grooming gangs. They had been criticised by the Conservative leader in the Senedd, Darren Millar, who accused them and other Welsh politicians of trying to "shut me down" over his calls for a Wales-wide inquiry. 'I was groomed and abused as a child - but I ended up with convictions' Casey report pulls no punches - but will it lead to meaningful change? Key takeaways from grooming gangs report
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
About 25,000 children sexually abused as online abuse grows
The Welsh government is consulting on a long-term strategy for tackling child sexual estimated 25,000 children and young people are being sexually abused each year in Wales, with online abuse growing government said the new ten-year plan aimed at preventing and responding to child sexual abuse is the first comprehensive long-term strategy of its kind in the Minister Dawn Bowden said "the voices of people" affected by sexual abuse will be central to the strategy and how it is delivered. She said she had already engaged with key stakeholders but wanted more individuals, organisations and communities "to share their views and help shape this vital work". The consultation on the draft strategy runs until September and the government said it then intends the strategy to run until said recent research showed approximately 25,000 children in Wales experience some form of sexual abuse each year, but only a fraction of these come to the attention of police or social services. Proposals include encouraging adults who experienced sexual abuse to share their stories and making sure that professionals working with children, families, and adults in Wales understand the long-term impact of child sexual abuse. There are also calls for increase visibility and recognition of support services for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and the setting up of "regional lived experience groups" specifically for adolescents, including those in rural parts of Wales. Welsh ministers said the other UK nations have implemented shorter-term action plans but Wales was the first to develop "a decade-long strategic vision".They said the strategy acknowledged that the scale and nature of child sexual abuse had evolved considerably in recent years, particularly in online producing the plans, the government said it had worked with groups such as adult victim-survivors, the NSPCC, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse and Barnardo's to ensure that it was "grounded in lived experience and expert insight".In a statement, Dawn Bowden, the minister for children and social care, said: "By developing the UK's first ten-year strategy in this area, we are demonstrating our unwavering commitment to protecting children and supporting survivors throughout their lives."The voices of people who have been affected by sexual abuse are central to this strategy and how it is delivered."Welsh ministers also said they will be "fully engaging" with the England and Wales inquiry into the sexual exploitation and abuse of children by grooming had been criticised by the Conservative leader in the Senedd, Darren Millar, who accused them and other Welsh politicians of trying to "shut me down" over his calls for a Wales-wide inquiry.
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
More families access free childcare through Flying Start
In Wales, the Flying Start programme has exceeded its targets during the second phase of the Welsh Government's expansion plan, which launched in April 2023 and aims to offer funded childcare to all two-year-olds. To date, more than 10,000 children have benefited from the scheme, surpassing the goal of reaching 9,500 additional children. Dawn Bowden, minister for children and social care, said: "This significant expansion has exceeded our targets, bringing quality early years support to thousands more children. "High quality early years provision helps to maximise child development outcomes and supports the best start in life. "I'm immensely proud of our Flying Start workforce for making this possible as we work towards universal childcare for all two-year-olds." Over the past two years, more than 13,400 children and families have been offered places, with 80 per cent taking up the offer in 2024-25. Flying Start offers 12.5 hours of free, high-quality childcare each week for eligible two-year-olds. The Welsh Government has invested an additional £25 million this year to expand the programme further, with a third phase expected to reach more than 4,000 additional children across Wales. The scheme also supports the government's goal of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050, with more than 2,000 places in phase two taken up at Welsh-medium settings. Mark Drakeford, cabinet secretary for finance and Welsh language, said: "It's encouraging to see more families choosing Welsh-medium childcare."
South Wales Argus
19-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Calls to Welsh Government to speed up cancer diagnosis
Plaid Cymru deputy Senedd leader, Delyth Jewell, said: "Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest common cancer in Wales. "That's because 80 per cent of people get diagnosed too late to receive life-saving treatment, and half lose their lives within three months. "We have to see more people getting their diagnosis earlier to save so many more precious lives." Minister for children and social care Dawn Bowden acknowledged the 'heartbreaking' late diagnosis rates, and said the government is focusing on rapid access to diagnostic treatment. She said: "We're working with the NHS to determine the long-term service model for pancreatic and liver cancer surgery." The minister agreed to meet with Ms Jewell and Pancreatic Cancer UK to discuss improvement strategies. Pancreatic Cancer UK's head of devolved nations, Dawn Crosby, said: "It is vital that the Welsh Government keep up this momentum with more action, more investment, and more attention."
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Welsh Government campaign launched to support young carers
Launched during Carers Week by the Welsh Government, the social media campaign aims to help young people recognise their caring roles and connect them to available support services. It highlights the experiences of young carers like Tamanna, who support family members with disabilities or long-term health needs. Tamanna said: "I am a 23-year-old British Bangladeshi. "Alongside my siblings I am an unpaid carer for my mum who has a range of medical conditions. "As I live with her, I am her primary carer. "I don't think about this as care as it's my mum and I love her dearly and want the best for her. "However, it can become difficult when I am unable to take time off from work. "It's a struggle but we manage by working together as a family. "Eid celebrations are always at my mum's house where everyone comes together to enjoy the much-needed family time." She highlighted that this time gives her 'a form of respite' as there are others there in the house. "This is what Eid truly means for us. "It is a time of remembering and being there for one another." The Welsh Government estimates that around 30,000 young carers live in Wales, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported. Dawn Bowden, minister for children and social care, said: "As we mark Carers Week, hearing voices like Tamanna's reminds us that caring responsibilities don't pause for holidays. "This campaign helps young people recognise when they're caring and connects them with vital support. "We want to ensure young carers don't miss educational opportunities or struggle with their wellbeing. "By seeing themselves in these stories, I hope more young people will reach out for the support they deserve."
