AQW 23862/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 05/03/2025
Answered On Date: 12/03/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice whether her Department has considered strengthening legislation to ensure enhanced protection for older victims of various forms of abuse, including financial exploitation.
Answer:
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031, which is jointly led by my Department and the Department of Health, adopts an inclusive approach, recognising the diversity of all victims of domestic and sexual abuse and their needs. The Strategy acknowledges that there will be specific challenges faced by older victims of domestic and sexual abuse and the Strategy’s Expert Reference Group (ERG) includes representation from the organisation ‘Hourglass’ to ensure that the voices and perspectives of older victims help to inform policy decisions and the development of services. One of the actions included in the Strategy’s Action Plan is to consider intersectionality and the barriers faced by specific groups (including older people) and then to identify and implement measures to address these, subject to funding. My officials have spoken to Hourglass who have agreed to be involved in this work, in respect of older people. You may also be aware that my Department also funds the delivery of a Northern Ireland wide advocacy service, by ASSIST NI, to support victims of domestic and sexual abuse who are engaged with the criminal justice system. ASSIST NI offers a service tailored to the individual needs of each victim, they provide guidance, information, work with other service providers and advocate on victim’s behalf to secure the help and resources they require. Advocates are trained to understand and recognise the barriers faced by specific groups, including older people, and will work with them to provide support that meets their needs. 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’. My Department also helps to address harm and vulnerability caused by fraud and supports partnership working to tackle the threat of scams and financial exploitation through its membership of the ScamwiseNI Partnership, which is chaired by the PSNI. The Partnership was established eight years ago and now has over 45 partners who work collaboratively to provide valuable information and crucial advice to keep the public informed, aware and vigilant. ScamwiseNI's most recent, six-month campaign, featured radio and newspaper advertisements, along with posters in public transport spaces, including bus shelters and inside buses. Its aim was to help empower older people and those who are not regularly online to stay safe against scammers. 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.
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