AQW 4524/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 12/10/2022
Answered On Date: 18/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice for her assessment of how the Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 has reduced violence against women and girls.

Answer:

During my tenure, I have brought forward a number of changes to provide better protections for victims of violent and abusive behaviours, including the new domestic abuse offence, a new stalking offence and protections under the recent Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

Collectively, these added protections and new offences provide an important response to a wide range of violent and abusive behaviours that predominantly affect women and girls. These measures will also contribute positively to our wider agenda of creating safer communities and protecting those that are affected.

While the offence only came into operation in April, I am encouraged by the number of changes that have been made in this short time. I am also pleased that a number of cases are due to be heard before the courts in the coming weeks and that one case has already resulted in a conviction and sentence of imprisonment for the offender involved.

In line with the reporting requirements in the Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, my Department must prepare a report on the operation of the stalking offence, the threatening or abusive offence, and Stalking Protection Orders, within two to three years of the new offences and Orders have coming into operation.

This will allow for a more meaningful assessment of the effectiveness of the Act to be carried out in due course.

I also hope to consult on a new seven year Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy later this year. While this will apply to all, regardless of gender, we know that it will predominantly benefit women who are most affected by these types of crimes and behaviours. My Department is also engaging with the Executive Office in relation to taking forward their Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.