AQW 23866/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 05/03/2025
Answered On Date: 01/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any steps being taken to ensure a coordinated approach across all Departments in addressing elder abuse, in line with the priorities in the Programme for Government 2024-2027.

Answer:

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031, which is jointly led by the Department of Justice 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.

Department of Justice along with NI Policing Board, via a Joint Committee, provides funding to Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs) which are statutory stand-alone bodies that engage with their local communities to identify and help address local community safety concerns.

Some PCSP initiatives that can help support older people, rather than specifically address elder abuse, include:

the provision of call blocking schemes via Truecall telephone devices installed to stop nuisance calls and scammers;

commissioning of services through Ageing Well which provides support to older people to reduce their fear of crime and vulnerability to crime, particularly those older people who may be alone and/or infirm;

projects which raise awareness among older people of the risks of bogus callers, internet and telephone fraud, and other relevant issues which older people and/or their carers might identify.

The Executive are committed to working together to support all Ministers to deliver the priorities as laid out in the Programme for Government priorities and to support Departments in their own initiatives going forward.