Nearly 30,000 Domestic Motivated Incidents Took Place In 2017

Last year nearly 30,000 domestic motivated incidents took place in Northern Ireland, with around five people each year killed by a partner, ex-partner or close family member, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ).

The figures were revealed by the department at the launch of a new consultation on Domestic Homicide Reviews.

The DoJ said: "Everyone deserves to live in a safe community where we respect the law and each other. All forms of domestic violence are wrong and are often are criminal in law. The consultation, which remains open until Friday 28 September, is aimed at improving how we tackle domestic abuse by learning together.

"Domestic violence and abuse remains significantly underreported. In working to establish a domestic homicide review model the department has worked closely with statutory, voluntary and community sector partners. In addition to the views of representative organisations, the department is keen to hear from people who may have been abused or who may have been affected by abuse.

"The views of family members or friends or work colleagues can help us improve preventative as well as immediate and aftercare services and potentially save lives."

The department intends to publish responses to the consultation on its website. However, all contact details and information that could identify a respondent as a private individual will be removed.

The consultation is open until Friday, 28 September.

(MH/LM)