AQW 31523/22-27
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 for an update on the implementation of actions arising from the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031 - Action Plan Years 1-3, relating to his Department.
Answer:
Work is progressing steadily on the implementation of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy for which the Department of Health holds lead or joint responsibility for 24 actions within the initial three-year action plan. In addition to an initial focus on ensuring the establishment of robust governance structures, key developments include: the completion of a review to assess options and provide recommendations for a revised operating model for Local Domestic and Sexual Abuse Partnerships, in partnership with Justice, the launch of a Small Grants Scheme designed to support community and voluntary organisations in their essential work with victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse, the development of a Reflections Booklet for social workers, offering practical insights and guidance on best practice when responding to domestic and sexual abuse cases; and the publication of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland’s ‘Recognising the Impact of Domestic Abuse’ Learning and Development Framework. This framework is designed to standardise training across member agencies and make resources available to the wider community and voluntary sector. It will strengthen the capacity of professionals to understand and respond to the impact of domestic abuse on children. A comprehensive year 1 progress update on all actions is scheduled for publication in December 2025.
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