A draft law designed to tackle violence against women and girls could be published early next year, if politicians agree.
Constable Karen Stone has lodged a Budget amendment requiring the Government to publish detailed plans and funding for new violence against women and girls legislation by April 2026.
Under current plans, financial implications for the proposed violence against women legislation were scheduled to appear in the 2027 Budget.
But Constable Stone’s amendment highlights concerns that leaving this work until after the election in June 2026 could weaken accountability and delay implementation of key recommendations from the violence against women taskforce.
The independent group outlined 77 key recommendations to tackle the “very real” issue of violence against women and girls in Jersey in a “shocking” report published in 2023.
The amendment also seeks a progress update on these recommendations to be included in the 2026 annual report, showing which actions have been completed up to 1 May 2026.
In an accompanying report, Constable Stone stressed the need for transparency, noting that the upcoming election makes it “imperative” for islanders to know which recommendations have yet to be delivered and how much funding will be required to complete them.
Constable Stone explained that requiring publication before April will “guarantee that islanders will have the opportunity to hold both election candidates and the next Government to account so that this funding is included within the 2027 Budget”.
The amendment would not require any additional funding, with its administrative costs to be absorbed by the existing Justice and Home Affairs budget.
The Budget is scheduled for debate on Tuesday 9 December.
