Jersey Government Making Progress on Violence Against Women Taskforce Recommendations, Report Finds

Jersey Reports Progress on Tackling Gender-Based Violence, But Challenges Remain

Jersey’s government has made meaningful strides in addressing the recommendations put forward by the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce, according to its first official progress report.

The taskforce, formed in 2022 and led by Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Mary Le Hegarat, delivered 77 recommendations in 2023 after research revealed that the majority of women in Jersey had experienced some form of gender-based violence. The recommendations span areas such as education, professional training, and systemic reform.

As of the latest report, 27 recommendations have been fully implemented, 42 are underway, six are awaiting further updates, and eight have yet to be started.

Among the completed actions are the development of a dataset to track harmful sexual behaviour and an increased police presence in targeted locations. However, several key initiatives — including a proposed parental education programme and a review of domestic abuse legislation — remain untouched.

Deputy Le Hegarat acknowledged both the progress and the ongoing challenges. “We can be proud of the progress achieved so far,” she said. “But there is considerable work ahead to achieve lasting change, and we remain committed to seeing through the implementation of all the recommendations.”

The taskforce conducted its research with input from victims, young people, service professionals, and the wider public, revealing what it described as a “hidden problem” of gender-based violence in the island.

In March 2024, the government pledged to publish yearly updates on its efforts to address all recommendations. Le Hegarat emphasized the importance of continued attention: “My hope is that this annual report, and those that follow it, will help ensure the issue stays firmly on the agenda.”