A combined total of £259,091 has been jointly allocated by the Departments of Justice and Health to support victims of domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland.

The funding, distributed through the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Small Grant Scheme, will benefit ten successful projects run by community and voluntary organisations.

The financial support will enable the organisations to deliver a crucial range of services tailored to victims and survivors. These services include trauma-informed counselling, crisis de-escalation therapy, and one-to-one legal advice clinics, all aimed at reducing trauma and aiding recovery.

Justice Minister Naomi Long, announcing the successful applicants, highlighted the importance of the voluntary sector's innovative approach: "The impact of domestic and sexual abuse is devastating and all-encompassing; they can affect anyone at any time, regardless of age, sexual orientation or gender, and the organisations that have been successful in their bid for funding reflects that. "They are also excellent examples of the innovative approaches being taken by the voluntary and community sector to help support people through what is often the most difficult period in their lives.

"From helping potential victims recognise unacceptable behaviour and encouraging them to seek help, to assisting survivors to navigate the justice system, I am confident they will reduce trauma and help service users on the road to recovery."

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt added that the projects are strongly aligned with the overarching Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) Strategy, which is jointly led by both departments: "I welcome the allocation of this funding to community and voluntary organisations which provide crucial support to those most affected by domestic and sexual abuse.

"The projects are strongly aligned with the objectives of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) Strategy and have the potential to contribute meaningfully to the Strategy's goals, with initiatives focused on prevention, early intervention and support for victims."

This marks the second round of small grant awards under the strategy, bringing the total amount allocated by the Departments of Justice and Health under the scheme to £568,718.