AQW 32493/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 01/10/2025
Answered On Date: 10/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice whether any guidance issued to family courts in Northern Ireland, recognises the use of harm or threats to pets as a form of coercive control.

Answer:

The principle of judicial independence means that the issue of guidance to family courts is a matter for the Lady Chief Justice.

I am not aware of any judicial guidance that expressly references the use of harm or threats to pets as a form of coercive control; however, the Lady Chief Justice issued guidance in June 2025 to set out the approach of the court in an application for a residence or contact order (under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) where it is alleged that a party, or the child, has experienced domestic abuse perpetrated by another party. The definition of “domestic abuse” for the purpose of the guidance includes behaviour falling within the meaning of section 2 of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 when read with section 4 of that Act, and section 4(3) of the 2021 Act refers to behaviour that is directed at a “person” through “conduct concerning or towards property” which includes pets or other animals, whether belonging to the victim or others.