Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched the 'Justice is Changing' campaign, signalling the Department of Justice's commitment to improving outcomes and support for victims of sexual crime across Northern Ireland.

The campaign showcases services developed in response to the independent Gillen Review into serious sexual offence cases, aimed at reducing delay, protecting privacy and ensuring timely information and assistance for victims.

Ms Long said: "Victims of sexual crime told the Gillen Review that the justice process could often exacerbate their trauma; particularly through unnecessary delays, invasions of privacy, and a lack of timely support and information.

"We have listened to these concerns and directly addressed them through a range of new measures.

"I hope this campaign raises public awareness of the services that are now available and that it will encourage victims to come forward and report these crimes and to remain within the justice system until their case concludes".

Key changes highlighted include new Remote Evidence Centres (RECs) in Belfast and Craigavon, complementing the existing NSPCC-led facility in Derry/Londonderry. These centres allow victims to give evidence away from courthouses and avoid encounters with defendants. In 2025, over 600 vulnerable witnesses gave evidence from a REC, with conviction rates in REC cases consistently around 90%.

The Adult Sexual Offences Legal Advisor (SOLA) scheme provides publicly funded legal advice to adult complainants in serious sexual offence cases, with more than 2,200 people supported since its 2021 launch. The service has been extended to children via the CSOLA offer, which has assisted over 400 child victims since 2025.

Legislative reform through the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) NI Act 2022 strengthened anonymity protections, increased penalties for breaches and enabled exclusion of the public from courtrooms during serious sexual offence trials. The Department's Rape Myths = Real Harm social media campaign has worked to tackle misinformation about sexual crimes. Further procedural changes include committal reform, removing the need for victims to give oral evidence at two separate hearings, and a judge-led Under 13/16 Protocol to reduce delay in cases involving young children. The Belfast Domestic Abuse Contest Court prioritises victims by ensuring all complainants give evidence from the Belfast REC, supported by specialist prosecutors and services; the court's 11am start time helps accommodate family commitments, and conviction rates are consistently around 90%.

The Minister continued: "We have made good progress but I'm determined to keep going and build on the measures already in place.

"We are working towards the introduction of a Barnahus type model to Northern Ireland; the creation of guidance for the media in relation to the reporting of rape and other sexual crimes and the introduction of new measures in the Victims & Witnesses Bill, introduced to the assembly in June, that will further protect the disclosure of complainants' personal information, including counselling notes and medical records.

"Sexual assault is one of the most heinous and violating crimes, and it can have a devastating and lasting impact on victims. As Justice Minister, I will do all I can to ensure that the justice system does not exacerbate that trauma."

The campaign will run across the Department's social media channels. Full details of changes made under the Gillen implementation programme are available at: www.justice-ni.gov.uk/topics/gillen-review-report-law-and-procedures-serious-sexual-offences-ni

The Gillen Review, published in 2019, made 253 recommendations, the vast majority of which have now been delivered. The implementation programme is scheduled to conclude in mid-2027, with work continuing to mainstream and expand services.

For support, contact Victim Support NI on 02890 243133 or visit www.victimsupportni.com/; the NSPCC Young Witness Service is available on 0808 800 5000 or via learning.nspcc.org.uk/services-children-families/young-witness-service.