24/07/2006
Protocol to help victims of domestic violence
A new protocol has been set up to help victims of domestic violence.
Criminal Justice Minister, David Hanson, today made the announcement as he met women at a local refuge who have first hand experience of domestic violence.
Arriving at the refuge David Hanson said: "As part of the Government's commitment to help victims of domestic violence it is important that I listen to women living at the refuge who have been directly affected by domestic violence. I also want to hear, their proposals, of what more needs to be done to provide better protection, justice and support for victims."
During the visit the Minister announced the launch of a Joint Working Protocol developed by Women's Aid and Victim Support Northern Ireland, which aims to promote and ensure the safety of women who have experienced domestic violence through the delivery of effective and seamless services.
The Minister said: "When I launched the Northern Ireland Strategy - Tackling Violence at Home - I stressed the importance of improving services for all victims and the enormous benefits to be gained by inter-agency co-operation in this process.
"With the protocol in place this means that any woman who suffers domestic violence can go to either organisation and access the full range of services provided by both. This will ensure that women and their families receive the most effective response available from each organisation.
"Making it easier to access the best help should go some way towards reducing the trauma experienced by victims."
(EF/SP)
Criminal Justice Minister, David Hanson, today made the announcement as he met women at a local refuge who have first hand experience of domestic violence.
Arriving at the refuge David Hanson said: "As part of the Government's commitment to help victims of domestic violence it is important that I listen to women living at the refuge who have been directly affected by domestic violence. I also want to hear, their proposals, of what more needs to be done to provide better protection, justice and support for victims."
During the visit the Minister announced the launch of a Joint Working Protocol developed by Women's Aid and Victim Support Northern Ireland, which aims to promote and ensure the safety of women who have experienced domestic violence through the delivery of effective and seamless services.
The Minister said: "When I launched the Northern Ireland Strategy - Tackling Violence at Home - I stressed the importance of improving services for all victims and the enormous benefits to be gained by inter-agency co-operation in this process.
"With the protocol in place this means that any woman who suffers domestic violence can go to either organisation and access the full range of services provided by both. This will ensure that women and their families receive the most effective response available from each organisation.
"Making it easier to access the best help should go some way towards reducing the trauma experienced by victims."
(EF/SP)
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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.