AQW 34364/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 24/10/2025
Answered On Date: 13/11/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether there is a regional approach to protocols relating to domestic and sexual abuse, across Health and Social Care Trusts.

Answer:

There are a number of regional guidance documents providing an operational framework for professionals responding to instances of domestic and sexual abuse;

1. SBNI (Safeguarding Board NI) Regional Policy & Procedures

2. Joint Protocol – Child Abuse Investigations

3. PPANI (Public Protection Arrangements NI) Manual of Practice

4. Joint Protocol – Adult Safeguarding Investigations

5. MARAC (MultiAgency Risk Assessment Conference) Guidance

These documents are applied consistently across the Health and Social Care Trusts and also provide a framework within which other professional stakeholders respond to reports of domestic and sexual abuse.