Speaking during a debate on domestic violence, the Minister said he would be seeking the agreement of his Executive colleagues to set up a Ministerial group. The purpose of this group will be to ensure effective and rapid implementation of the ‘Tackling Violence at Home’ strategy which was introduced in 2005.
The numbers of people reporting domestic violence incidents to the police has continued to rise rapidly. In 2005/06 just over 23,000 incidents were reported to the police compared to under 21,000 in the previous year.
Funding support services and refuges for families was a vital part of the strategy, the Minister said, but prevention and protection were key elements under which impressive progress has been made. The Minister said his priority was ensuring that every effort was made to help families remain safely in their own homes.
Speaking during a debate on Domestic Violence, he said: “Statistics relating to domestic violence make for shocking reading. At least 11,000 children here live with domestic violence every day, five people are killed each year and over 700 families are rehoused as a result of violence in the home.
“Children are very much the silent victims of domestic violence. Those who are subject to violence can suffer from long-term effects which may lead to mental health problems, poor educational achievement, crime and substance misuse.
“Refuges provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and will always be needed. Why, though, should families and children who have endured domestic violence face even greater distress by being forced to leave their home? I want more families to be given the protection they need to stay in their own home and lead normal lives. This is already happening and I am committed to strengthening the protection and support services needed so more and more families are able to remain safely in their homes.
“My own party’s commitment is to secure extra resources to address domestic violence. I will be approaching my Executive colleagues to ensure that this issue is given the funding priority it deserves.
“I also intend with the agreement of my Ministerial colleagues to establish an Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence to give this issue the priority it deserves.”
Considerable funding has been invested in a range of initiatives funded by the DHSSPS to develop training and mentoring, counselling and anger management services, support services for children affected by domestic violence.
The minister added: “There are many challenges ahead as we try to tackle the scourge of domestic violence. A great deal of good work has already been achieved through the strategy. We must build on this work and find new ways to deal with domestic violence. Raising awareness and encouraging more victims to end the silence on domestic violence is vital. Working together we can achieve our common goals and we can make a real difference to the lives of victims and their families.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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