AQW 18889/22-27


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 27/11/2024
Answered On Date: 05/12/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice (i) for her assessment of why addressing financial abuse is difficult; (ii) to detail her Department’s work relating to financial abuse; and (iii) to detail any plans to raise public awareness in this area.


Answer:
Ensuring that there are effective protections in place for victims of domestic abuse, including where this takes the form of financial abuse, is a priority for me as Justice Minister. I have listened to many victims and their families who have shared their painful experiences, and I recognise the courage it takes to speak about them.
Addressing financial abuse can be difficult because people may not recognise it as such. Financial matters are often seen as a private and, therefore, people may be reluctant to report it, or may be embarrassed to do so.
The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 introduced a new domestic abuse offence which criminalises behaviour that is controlling or coercive or amounts to psychological, emotional, technological or financial abuse. It captures patterns of physical and/or psychological abuse by a partner, ex-partner or close family member and covers behaviour that is physically violent, threatening or intimidating.
When the new offence was introduced, my Department launched a public awareness campaign including a series of online videos detailing the various types of domestic abuse; financial abuse is depicted in these powerful videos and they sign post victims on how to report the abuse. Additional advice on the domestic abuse offence and the videos remains available on the NI Direct website under the title ‘Still Abuse’.
Whilst PSNI training is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, I have been advised that the PSNI has undertaken an extensive training programme in relation to the new domestic abuse offence, including understanding coercive controlling behaviour, the impact of domestic abuse and pathways to support. That training is on-going and PSNI has advised that work is underway to develop a series of case studies that can be used as training materials across the organisation which will help in addressing financial abuse.
I am also aware that the draft Adult Protection Bill, which is being developed by the Department of Health, is also likely to make provision that may help with addressing financial abuse.