AQO 541/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 30/05/2024
Answered On Date: 09/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what engagement they have had with victims on their experience of the court system, as part of their work to bring forward the Strategic Framework Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.

Answer:

The lived experience of women and girls has been central to the development and delivery of the draft Strategic Framework.

Through co-design and other engagement, our officials have met with Victims Support NI, Women’s Aid NI, Nexus NI, as well as those individuals with lived experience.

The Co-design process identified Justice as one of four main pillars of the Framework, and the key outcome as “A justice system which has the confidence of victims, survivors and the public in its ability to address violence against women and girls”.

The voices of women and girls who have lived experience will continue to inform the implementation of the Strategic Framework: this includes women and girls with experience of the court system.

We are committed to bringing forward the Strategic Framework and Action Plan for consideration by the Executive Committee as soon as possible.