Domestic Abuse

Lawyers must continue to challenge the Northern Ireland courts to properly protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse, a prominent family lawyer has said. Claire Edgar, family law partner at Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors, was among the speakers at The Bar of Northern Ireland's recent confer

Ministers have approved the general scheme of legislation creating a new statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). A key responsibility of the new agency will be overseeing and supporting the provision of refuge accommodation for victims,

The Bar of Northern Ireland has called for a "whole society approach" to tackling domestic abuse at a conference marking one year since the commencement of landmark legislation. More than 200 legal and lay professionals attended the conference marking the anniversary of the Domestic Abuse and Civil

The government has ordered a review into waiting times for domestic violence orders in the District Court amid claims that vulnerable people are waiting as long as 16 weeks in parts of the State. Simon Harris confirmed in the Dáil that he had asked the Courts Service to prepare a report on th

Northern Ireland's new draft domestic and sexual abuse strategy has gone out for public consultation. The launch of the consultation by the Departments of Health and Justice coincides with Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week in the UK, which aims to raise awareness of sexual abuse and

Family lawyer Claire Edgar has been appointed as chair of the Belfast Area Domestic & Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership's protection and justice working group. The partnership brings together agencies, organisations, groups and individuals who share a common interest and purpose in improving

Government plans to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence will next year benefit from a record 22 per cent funding increase worth around €9 million. The Department of Justice launched its five-year "zero tolerance" strategy earlier this summer, containing 144 detailed actions to be

Paid leave will be introduced for victims of domestic violence under legislative plans unveiled by ministers. The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 will introduce a range of measures to improve family-friendly work practices and support women in the work force.

Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal has dismissed 10 grounds of appeal following the manslaughter of a three-year-old boy. The court rejected arguments that photos of the crime scene prejudiced the applicant, and noted that the applicant’s past convictions for domestic violence were relev

The new Foyle Family Justice Centre, aimed at supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, has opened its doors in Derry. Developed by Foyle Women's Aid, the project will provide a range of services to those affected by domestic abuse including crisis intervention, emergency accommodation, ca

Proposed legislation creating standalone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation and allowing courts to issue orders restraining stalking behaviours will become law this autumn under government plans. Ministers have now given their approval for the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions

Progress on a cross-departmental strategy to stop domestic and sexual violence and abuse in Northern Ireland has been published. The ministers for justice, health, communities, education and finance have published an action plan setting out proposed activity for year seven of the seven-year domestic

Specialised judges could preside over criminal trials involving domestic, sexual and gender-based violence under a new five-year strategy launched by ministers. Led by justice minister Helen McEntee, the €363 million "zero tolerance" strategy was published yesterday, accompanied by an 18-month

Fears have been raised of a chilling effect on victims and survivors of domestic abuse coming forward following a high-profile court battle between Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard. A jury in Fairfax County, Virginia yesterday awarded around $10.4 million in damages t

Stalking and non-fatal strangulation will become standalone offences under legislation announced by justice minister Helen McEntee today. Though both stalking and non-fatal strangulation are already crimes, the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will make the law "clearer and stronger"