AQW 40786/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 17/02/2026
Answered On Date: 11/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime in Northern Ireland December 2025 report, Totally Invisible, into the experiences of domestic violence and abuse victims and survivors and children engaging with family court processes.

Answer:

I spoke at the launch of the “Totally Invisible” report on 3rd December 2025 and welcomed the research. I am concerned in relation to the findings of the research, that;

There is a lack of understanding of domestic abuse dynamics among some professionals.

There is inconsistent application of safeguarding measures, leaving victims and children at risk of being harmed.

There are delays and complexity in proceedings, which can exacerbate trauma for victims and prolong exposure to risk.

I have nominated representatives from my Department to participate in and contribute to a Family Court Pilot Task & Finish Working Group that the Commissioner for Victims of Crime, Geraldine Hanna, is convening to address findings of the report.