AQW 31522/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 18/09/2025
Answered On Date: 03/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the services that his Department funds to support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

Answer:

Each Health and Social Care Trust holds statutory responsibility for providing a range and level of social services appropriate to Children in Need as defined under Article 17 of The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Each Health and Social Care Trust utilises a range of services to support victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

My Department currently procures specific Therapeutic Support for Children and Young People who are potentially vulnerable to Child Sexual Exploitation through Barnardo’s.

My Department also supports the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) through the Department of Health’s Core Grant. Although this Grant does not specifically procure a Therapeutic Service, it does support the NSPCC to deliver their services which includes Therapeutic Support.

My Department also supports Nexus NI to provide counselling services to adult victims and survivors of sexual abuse and violence. Following an initial assessment each individual will be offered up to 12 counselling sessions, based on presenting need. Referrals to the service will be from a range of agents, including GPs and HSC Trusts, and individuals who self-refer. This provision is currently specifically focussed on supporting individuals who have been victims of sexual abuse and are at the stage of their journey where therapeutic interventions are most likely to have the best outcome.