Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any steps she is taking to provide any support to victims of coercive control.
Minister of Justice: Ensuring that victims of coercive control have access to support is key to helping them to recognise this as a form of abuse so they can access protection and justice; and begin their journey to recovery. Tackling coercive control and other forms of domestic abuse has been a key priority for me as Justice Minister.
The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, which came into operation in February 2022, recognises coercive controlling behaviour as a form of abuse under the domestic abuse offence. This offence criminalises patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour, including psychological, emotional and financial abuse, ensuring that victims can seek justice even in the absence of physical violence. I am pleased that there is evidence that increasing numbers of offences involving coercive control are being taken through the courts, demonstrating that the legislation is taking effect. In addition to the 2021 Act I have also introduced further legislative reforms to address behaviours often associated with coercive control, including offences such as stalking, non-fatal strangulation and other forms of abusive conduct.
My Department has also strengthened protections for victims within the court system. The 2021 Act provides for special measures in the civil and family courts, including protection from direct crossexamination by perpetrators, and for improved access to legal aid. My Department has also introduced Remote Evidence Centres (RECs) so that victims of domestic abuse and coercive control do not need to give evidence within the court building. In addition, building on the provision of RECs, the introduction of a Domestic Abuse Contest Court in Belfast, is enabling victims of domestic abuse to give evidence in a safer environment, reducing re-traumatisation and contributing to improved prosecution outcomes.
A range of practical supports are available for victims to access, including through Women’s Aid who offer refuge accommodation, outreach services, safety planning, and trauma-informed support for women and children.
Importantly, my Department has developed and funded a range of professional and practical services for victims.
Assist NI supports high risk / high harm victims through the criminal justice process, providing advocacy, information on court procedures, and assistance with protective measures; it also delivers a specific service tailored for child victims. The Sexual Offences Legal Advisors (SOLA) service, which is delivered by Victim Support NI, provides independent legal advice to victims who have also experienced serious sexual offences, helping them understand their rights, particularly around sensitive issues such as disclosure and their privacy rights; again, a dedicated Child SOLA Service is also in operation. Victim Support NI also provides a range of confidential emotional and practical supports to anyone affected by crime, regardless of whether it has been reported, and the Domestic and Sexual Abuse 24-hour helpline, which is operated by Nexus, ensures that there is immediate access to confidential guidance and crisis support at any time. The Men’s Advisory Project focuses specifically on supporting male victims through counselling, helplines, and tailored one-to-one services and my Department is currently exploring how support for male victims can be further reinforced. Together, these organisations create a comprehensive network of care, helping individuals remain safe, access justice.
In order to strengthen the multi-agency response to domestic abuse and to mitigate risk, including coercive control, officials are also working with partners to develop new multi-agency arrangements to improve the identification and management of high-risk cases of domestic abuse and violence. These structures will include integrated arrangements for accountability, auditing and governance to ensure that there is an effective and consistent response. This will have a specific focus on understanding domestic abuse through a lens of coercive controlling behaviour.
The importance of raising awareness and encouraging reporting in cases of coercive control is demonstrated through public information campaigns and by consistent messaging that coercive control can affect any individual, regardless of gender or background.
In addition, the Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme (DVADS) provides an important further safeguard for those who may be at risk of domestic abuse. The scheme allows a person aged 16 or over to ask the police whether their current or former partner, or the partner of someone they know, has a history of abusive, violent, controlling or coercive behaviour. The scheme aims to support potential victims in making informed decisions about their safety and relationships. DVADS operates through a “Right To Ask” process, where individuals can request information, and a “Power To Tell” process, where police may proactively disclose information if they believe someone is at risk of harm.
My Department will continue to work with partners across government and beyond to deliver the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and support the wider objectives of the Executive’s Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls, helping to create a safer society for all women and girls.
This multi-faceted approach through robust legislation, improved court processes, better identification and mitigation of risk and enhanced support services, is improving our response so that victims of coercive control can be better protected, supported and empowered to seek justice.
ENDS
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