28/01/2026
Justice Minister Calls For Action Against Online Sexual Exploitation
Justice Minister Naomi Long has formally contacted the UK Government to demand stronger action against the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls via adult services websites.
In a letter addressed to the Home Office Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, the Minister described the current online exploitation landscape as a "deeply disturbing issue". Because telecommunications legislation is a reserved matter for Westminster, Northern Ireland relies on UK-wide cooperation to regulate the digital platforms that facilitate these harms.
Minister Long stated: "I believe it is important to do everything possible to protect women and girls from life‑changing abuse. I am determined to maintain momentum in this area and where the evidence supports it, I would support the UK Government to advance legislation that reduces the facilitation of all forms of exploitation and abuse."
New Legislative Reforms The Minister also highlighted a series of upcoming legislative changes in Northern Ireland designed to modernise the criminal justice response to technology-enabled abuse. These include:
• AI-Generated Material: Updating the offence of possessing a "paedophile manual" to ensure it explicitly covers content generated by Artificial Intelligence.
• Image-Generator Offences: New laws to criminalise the creation, adaptation, possession, or distribution of any tool designed to facilitate the production of child sexual abuse images.
• Adult Deepfakes: Legislation to criminalise the creation and non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images of adults.
These measures build on a broader suite of protections previously introduced by the Department of Justice to address harmful behaviours such as stalking and cyber-flashing.
The Minister added: "While the majority of victims of online sexual exploitation are women and girls, as Justice Minister I am unwavering in my commitment to protecting everyone from harm and to taking every possible step, within my power, to keeping those who are vulnerable safe from all forms of abuse and exploitation."
In a letter addressed to the Home Office Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, the Minister described the current online exploitation landscape as a "deeply disturbing issue". Because telecommunications legislation is a reserved matter for Westminster, Northern Ireland relies on UK-wide cooperation to regulate the digital platforms that facilitate these harms.
Minister Long stated: "I believe it is important to do everything possible to protect women and girls from life‑changing abuse. I am determined to maintain momentum in this area and where the evidence supports it, I would support the UK Government to advance legislation that reduces the facilitation of all forms of exploitation and abuse."
• AI-Generated Material: Updating the offence of possessing a "paedophile manual" to ensure it explicitly covers content generated by Artificial Intelligence.
• Image-Generator Offences: New laws to criminalise the creation, adaptation, possession, or distribution of any tool designed to facilitate the production of child sexual abuse images.
• Adult Deepfakes: Legislation to criminalise the creation and non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images of adults.
These measures build on a broader suite of protections previously introduced by the Department of Justice to address harmful behaviours such as stalking and cyber-flashing.
The Minister added: "While the majority of victims of online sexual exploitation are women and girls, as Justice Minister I am unwavering in my commitment to protecting everyone from harm and to taking every possible step, within my power, to keeping those who are vulnerable safe from all forms of abuse and exploitation."
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04 February 2025
Justice Minister Reflects On Achievements During Assembly Term
On the anniversary of the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, Justice Minister Naomi Long has reflected on the achievements of her department. The Minister highlighted several key accomplishments, including the addition of Northern Ireland to UK legislation quashing the convictions of those affected by the Horizon I.T.
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On the anniversary of the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, Justice Minister Naomi Long has reflected on the achievements of her department. The Minister highlighted several key accomplishments, including the addition of Northern Ireland to UK legislation quashing the convictions of those affected by the Horizon I.T.
07 July 2022
Ministers Publish New Domestic And Sexual Abuse Strategy Report
Health Minister Robin Swann and Justice Minister Naomi Long have launched a report on the outcome of a Call for Views launched earlier this year to inform the development of a new Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy. Welcoming the new report, Minister Swann said: "We received 91 written submissions and 661 online surveys were completed.
Ministers Publish New Domestic And Sexual Abuse Strategy Report
Health Minister Robin Swann and Justice Minister Naomi Long have launched a report on the outcome of a Call for Views launched earlier this year to inform the development of a new Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy. Welcoming the new report, Minister Swann said: "We received 91 written submissions and 661 online surveys were completed.
14 February 2022
New Abuse And Violence Strategy Consultations Extended
The development period of two new Executive strategies aimed at tackling violence against women and girls and domestic and sexual abuse have been extended until 21 March. Justice Minister Naomi Long and Health Minister Robin Swann made the announcement as part of the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
New Abuse And Violence Strategy Consultations Extended
The development period of two new Executive strategies aimed at tackling violence against women and girls and domestic and sexual abuse have been extended until 21 March. Justice Minister Naomi Long and Health Minister Robin Swann made the announcement as part of the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
04 September 2025
Pilot Scheme To Protect Children From Exploitation Launched In NI
A new pilot scheme aimed at strengthening the protection of children at risk of criminal or sexual exploitation is to be launched in Northern Ireland.
Pilot Scheme To Protect Children From Exploitation Launched In NI
A new pilot scheme aimed at strengthening the protection of children at risk of criminal or sexual exploitation is to be launched in Northern Ireland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.