The Northern Ireland Executive has published an addendum to the
latest Action Plan under the current Stopping Domestic and Sexual
Violence and Abuse Strategy.
The plan covers the period from April 2023 – March 2024.
This addendum to the Year Seven Action Plan highlights progress
made during 2022 – 23 and outlines new actions to be taken
forward by the Departments of Justice and Health for the
remainder of this period.
Cross-Departmental actions include:
- Introducing new criminal justice measures such as new
offences of non-fatal strangulation, up-skirting; down-blousing;
cyber flashing; and an adult pretending to be a child for the
purpose of child grooming.
- Progression of draft regulations, and preparatory work, to
support the introduction of domestic abuse protection notices and
orders.
- Evaluating the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety
(IRIS) project;
- Considering findings from an evaluation of the Ask for Ani
scheme piloted in four Jobs and Benefits offices.
- Commencing work to scope costed options to reduce risk of
abusive and offending behaviours.
- Launching CCEA’s Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE)
Progression Framework.
- Piloting Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning for children in
care who have experienced domestic abuse.
- Commencing work to develop and roll out strategic
communications to tackle gender based violence and rape myths
using the bystander approach.
A consultation summary report on a new draft Domestic and Sexual
Abuse Strategy is also being published as part of this action
plan. The report provides an analysis of the responses to a 12
week public consultation carried out earlier this year.
Responses have been broadly supportive of the draft strategy and
its four pillars of: Partnership, Protection, Support and
Justice. However, the need for an additional pillar
dedicated to children and young people was also highlighted. We
welcome the views shared and will work with our Stakeholder
Assurance Group to strengthen the response to children and young
people by adding a fifth pillar to the final draft.
The revised draft strategy and a draft Year One action plan will
be finalised in readiness for consideration by incoming Ministers
and a Northern Ireland Executive. The current strategy will
remain in place until any new strategy is introduced.
Richard Pengelly CB, Permanent Secretary at the Department of
Justice said: “Our consultation provided an
important opportunity for people to share their views on the
draft strategy, its vision and key priority areas of work. I want
to thank everyone who took the time to respond, particularly
those who shared their personal experiences and our voluntary and
statutory sector partners. Your expertise and knowledge are vital
to this work and will help to shape the final draft strategy.”
, Permanent Secretary at the
Department of Health said: “Positive progress has been made to
tackle domestic and sexual abuse but we are clear that much still
needs to be done, which is why we are also updating our action
plan to detail the work that will be taken forward across
departments over the coming months. For anyone who feels
they are at risk of abuse, it is important to remember that there
is help and support available. The Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 802 1414 or in an emergency
phone the police on 999.”
The Addendum can be accessed on the Department of Justice
website at Stopping Domestic and Sexual
Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland: A Seven Year Strategy
March 2016 | Department of Justice
(justice-ni.gov.uk) or alternatively via the Department
of Health website at Stopping Domestic and Sexual
Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland Strategy | Department of
Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
The consultation summary report on the new Domestic and Sexual
Abuse Strategy can be found on the Department of Justice
website Domestic and Sexual Abuse
strategy 2023 2030, or via the Department of Health
website Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Strategy - 2023 – 2030 | Department of Health
(health-ni.gov.uk).
Notes to editors:
1. Implementation of actions will be the responsibility of
relevant government Departments, working in partnership with
their agencies and voluntary & community sector
organisations.
