Ministers’ continued commitment to tackling domestic and sexual violence and abuse
Wednesday, 30 September 2009New initiatives to protect and help victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse are to be rolled out across Northern Ireland over the next few months.
Further to today’s meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins announced the publication of the latest in a series of annual Action Plans developed to tackle domestic and sexual violence and abuse in Northern Ireland.
These Action Plans identify key priorities of Government’s Strategies for tackling both domestic and sexual violence and abuse with new initiatives to protect and help victims
Speaking about the plans, Mr McGimpsey said: “Domestic and sexual violence and abuse can have a devastating impact on victims and their families. I intend to ensure that Government remains absolutely committed to addressing the needs of all victims of domestic and sexual violence and abuse through full and effective implementation of both Strategies.
“A number of key achievements have already been realised and I also recognise the valuable contribution from both the voluntary and statutory sectors in these areas, however there is still much work to be done.
“I particularly welcome the action to roll out a routine domestic violence enquiry initiative to A&E departments, minor injuries units, GPs surgeries, and to services for older people. And in the autumn we will see the production of a regional directory of services for people affected by sexual violence and abuse detailing all the services available for children and adults across the voluntary and statutory sectors.”
A priority of the 2009/2010 Domestic Violence Action Plan is the regional roll out of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference to help identify and protect high risk victims of domestic violence. A key element of the sexual violence strategy is the development of a public information campaign to raise awareness of sexual violence and abuse issues in Northern Ireland.
Welcoming the initiatives, Paul Goggins said: “The protection of the public from domestic and sexual abuse remains a top priority for the Government. These action plans will build on the significant progress we have made in tackling the issue of domestic and sexual abuse.
“The proposed introduction of domestic violence Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences will be a major step forward in protecting those at highest risk. It will bring together around one table all agencies best placed to assess the risk to victims and put in place appropriate services and a safety plan to better protect them.
“Over the past year I have introduced legislative reforms, including a new sentencing framework and offender supervision arrangements. These significantly enhance the levels of protection for the public from the risks posed by dangerous sexual and violent offenders.
"However we recognise that more needs to be done and both the NIO and devolved administration will continue to build on this work.”
Notes to editors:
1. The Strategy “Tackling Violence at Home – A Strategy for Addressing Domestic Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland’ and associated Action Plan” was launched in October 2005. The Strategy sets out a five year programme for tackling domestic violence and abuse in the three key areas of prevention, protection and justice, and support.
2. The 2009/2010 Domestic Violence Action Plan is the final document to be developed during the lifetime of the Strategy and covers the period April 2009 to September 2010. Implementation of the actions will be the responsibility of relevant government departments, their agencies, and voluntary and community sector organisations.
3. The 2009/2010 Domestic Violence Action Plan is available on the DHSSPS website and on the NIO website.
4. In a single meeting, a domestic violence MARAC brings together all agencies that are best placed to assess the risk to all victims and to put in place appropriate services and a safety plan to better protect these victims. The formal launch date for the regional roll out of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference is still to be confirmed.
5. The Strategy ‘Tackling Sexual Violence and Abuse, A Regional Strategy 2008-2013’ was launched in June 2008. The five year Strategy sets out what the Government intends to do to tackle the issue of sexual violence and abuse across Northern Ireland.
6. The 2009-2010 Sexual Violence Action Plan is the second annual plan to be published covering the period April 2009 to March 2010 and contains a variety of activities to ensure continuity in working towards achieving the key aims and objectives of the Strategy. Implementation of the actions will be the responsibility of relevant government departments, their agencies, and voluntary and community sector organisations.
7. The 2009/2010 Sexual Violence Action Plan is available on the DHSSPS website and on the NIO website
8. The public information campaign to raise general awareness of sexual violence and abuse will be launched during November 2009.
9. The regional directory will be made available throughout the province across a range of locations including libraries, doctors surgeries, A&E departments and pharmacies.
10. Although the 2009/2010 Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Action Plans have just been published, work has been progressing on the targets detailed within each Action Plan. A meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic and Sexual violence will be held on 30 September 2009 to discuss progress achieved to date against both plans.
11. Media enquiries to DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 2841. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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