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15/02/2024
Sexual Offences Legal Advisers Scheme Extended To March 2025
A Sexual Offences Legal Advisers (SOLA) pilot scheme is to be extended until March 2025, Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced.
First introduced in April 2021, the SOLA scheme provides
free, independent legal advice and advocacy to adult complainants in serious sexual offence cases, up to the point of trial. Since its launch, more than 1,600 people have received free legal advice.
Announced the extension of the scheme, Minister Long said: "Extending the support to victims through the criminal justice process helps them understand their rights and make informed decisions about their case."
The one-year funding extension has been welcomed by Janice Bunting CEO Victim Support NI, the lead agency providing practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses in Northern Ireland.
Minister Long confirmed the funding extension during a visit to the recently opened Belfast Remote Evidence Centre, which allows vulnerable or intimidated victims and witnesses to provide their evidence to the court using live link video technology.
Belfast Remote Evidence Centre is supported by Victim Support NI (adults) and NSPCC's Young Witness Service (children).
The Minister concluded: "It is encouraging to see further progress being made on the Gillen recommendations with the provision of Belfast Remote Evidence Centre, which is already improving outcomes for victims and witnesses of crime. As Justice Minister I want to continue to prioritise those areas which can have the greatest impact on complainants going through the criminal justice system."
First introduced in April 2021, the SOLA scheme provides
free, independent legal advice and advocacy to adult complainants in serious sexual offence cases, up to the point of trial. Since its launch, more than 1,600 people have received free legal advice.
Announced the extension of the scheme, Minister Long said: "Extending the support to victims through the criminal justice process helps them understand their rights and make informed decisions about their case."
Minister Long confirmed the funding extension during a visit to the recently opened Belfast Remote Evidence Centre, which allows vulnerable or intimidated victims and witnesses to provide their evidence to the court using live link video technology.
Belfast Remote Evidence Centre is supported by Victim Support NI (adults) and NSPCC's Young Witness Service (children).
The Minister concluded: "It is encouraging to see further progress being made on the Gillen recommendations with the provision of Belfast Remote Evidence Centre, which is already improving outcomes for victims and witnesses of crime. As Justice Minister I want to continue to prioritise those areas which can have the greatest impact on complainants going through the criminal justice system."
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