AQW 23907/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 07/10/2021
Answered On Date: 22/10/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to provide an update on (ii) the number of victims of sexual assault on the waiting list to access counselling via Nexus; and (ii) the average waiting time for individuals to be seen.

Answer:

There are two steps in the process of beginning counselling with an individual at Nexus. The first step is an Assessment Interview. Once that is complete the person will then move on to Ongoing Counselling.

At the end of September 2021, there were 79 waiting for an Assessment Interview and 510 clients waiting for Ongoing Counselling. Nexus report that 92.5% of clients are offered an Assessment Interview appointment within 6 weeks. Face to face services have now been resumed.

At the end of September 2021, there were 103 Clients on the Ongoing Counselling waiting list who reported the primary reason for referral was “sexual assault”.