Northern Ireland can take a giant leap forward in the fight against domestic abuse if new legislation is agreed, Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long has said. She was speaking as she moved the Second Stage of the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill in the Assembly. She said progressing domestic abuse legislation had been a […]
While we are all being urged to stay at home to stop the spread of Coronavirus, this does not mean victims of domestic violence should feel forgotten or alone, Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long has said. Help and support is available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Naomi Long said: “The ‘stay at home’ […]
Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA today introduced the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill 2020 to the Assembly. The Bill will create a new domestic abuse offence for Northern Ireland which will capture patterns of controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as physical abuse, against a partner, former partner or family member. The legislation […]
Alliance Lagan Valley Westminster candidate Sorcha Eastwood has pledged her support for a campaign highlighting domestic abuse here. Women’s Aid in Northern Ireland’s Call for Action seeks to raise awareness of domestic violence and improve the experiences of those engaging with the criminal justice system on the issue. Councillor Eastwood said if elected as MP, […]
Alliance Justice spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said victims of domestic abuse and violence have been abandoned, after a report said measures to help them were on hold due to the lack of a functioning Assembly. The report by the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice said there was ‘no excuse’ for long delays in implementing […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed a move to include Northern Ireland in Domestic Abuse Offence provisions in a Bill published today. Legislation to protect domestic abuse victims from coercive control will be extended here as part of the Home Office Bill at Westminster. Coercive control has been a crime in England and […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed a move to include Northern Ireland in Domestic Abuse Offence provisions in a Bill published today. Legislation to protect domestic abuse victims from coercive control will be extended here as part of the Home Office Bill at Westminster. Coercive control has been a crime in England and […]
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said the publication of a cross-Departmental action plan to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence is welcome, but an Assembly is needed to pass the legislation to back it up. The strategy, published by the Departments of Justice and Health, include continued provision of a 24-hour helpline service […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has welcomed the establishment of a specialist domestic violence court in Derry-Londonderry. The Domestic Violence Perpetrators’ Programme will work with offenders to modify their behaviour, aiming to reduce reoffending and encourage more victims to come forward. Around 30 offenders will take part in the nine-month pilot programme. “The new arrangements for […]