AQW 4525/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 12/10/2022
Answered On Date: 14/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice for her assessment of how the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 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.

In line with the reporting requirements in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, my Department must prepare a report on the operation of the domestic abuse offence, child aggravators and generic aggravators within two to three years of the new offence have coming into operation in February this year. 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.