This will replace the current Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Strategy which is now in its final year.
The draft strategy has been informed by extensive stakeholder engagement with expert advice from across the statutory, voluntary and community sectors as well as public feedback but, most importantly, it has been informed by the voices and experiences of victims including children.
The strategy is designed around four pillars of Partnership, Prevention, Support and Justice. Within each pillar, outcomes and key priority areas are identified. These will be expanded on in further detail in a series of action plans that will outline clear responsibilities and timelines over the next seven years.
Why your views matter
The Departments would encourage as many people as possible to consider the draft Strategy and send in your views and comments.
We are inviting you to share your views on its content and format to ensure we are taking the right approach to tackling domestic and sexual abuse. We would be particularly keen to hear from:
- those with lived experience of domestic or sexual abuse;
- those from different groups and communities including victims from LGBTQIA+ and minority ethnic communities and those with a disability;
- organisations that provide support to victims including children;
- frontline professionals, such as those working in health and social care, education, housing and the criminal justice system;
- academics and researchers; and
- the general public.
There are a number of ways that you can get involved. You can use as many of these as you wish by clicking on the relevant links.
Submit information, evidence and data by completing our Online Consultation via NI Direct which contains a number of questions in relation to each area.
- a Children and Young People's [link to be added] version of the draft Strategy contains a number of questions you can answer.
- an Easy Read [link to be added] version of the draft Strategy contains a number of questions you can answer.
- if you require a hard copy of the Consultation documents or have any other enquiries please email DSAStrategyConsultation@justice-ni.gov.uk or write to Victims Support Division, Room A4.03, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SG.
Engagement Events
The consultation exercise will also be supported by a number of online public engagement events which anyone can attend. The scheduled dates are:
Monday 6 March 2023 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Tuesday 7 March 2023 10.30am – noon
Thursday 9 March 2023 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday 14 March 2023 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Thursday 16 March 2023 2.00pm – 3.30pm
You can book your ticket on the Eventbrite Website
This consultation is open for 12 weeks and will close on Tuesday 2 May 2023 after which the results will be analysed by the two Departments.