MLAs welcome new domestic abuse bill

MLAs welcome new domestic abuse bill

25 November 2020

TWO South Down MLAs have supported and welcomed new legislation protection from domestic abuse which will widen access to legal aid for victims and survivors in child contact cases.

The strengthening of the current legislation in Northern Ireland was voted in by Northern Ireland Assembly members last week. 

Sinn Féin MLA Emma Rogan said it was vital that new domestic abuse laws provide protection to everyone in our society. 

 Speaking in the Assembly chamber, the South Down MLA said: “The fact that the Assembly is now discussing new laws to protect victims marks an important milestone in the fight against domestic abuse. 

 “The protections provided for in this legislation are urgent and vitally important to protect victims of domestic abuse. The legislation will create laws that will provide protection from all types of domestic abuse, from sibling to sibling to parents and grandparents.”

Ms Rogan described the impact of domestic abuse as a “crime like no other” and said the problem needed to be tackled as a community and stressed the importance of early detection. 

She added: “It’s welcome that this bill also includes additional protections for children, as often they are the hidden victims of domestic abuse.

 “It is important that we as a society understand domestic abuse as a community problem, with a significant wider impact.”

Sinead Bradley, who is also the SDLP Justice spokesperson, said that the new amendments to the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill “were long overdue and badly needed.”

Ms Bradley said: “I was pleased to support amendments, which were designed to widen access to justice through legal aid provision.” 

“Given the prevalence of abusers, who are accessing legal aid due to unemployment, using court proceedings to deter victims, who currently cannot access legal aid, it is essential that we widen access to legal aid. 

“Increased discretionary support would mean that victims could be supported through legal aid and their abuser would not be able to financially break them through court proceedings.

“I welcome the fact this amendment passed, but the opposition and abstentions from some is frankly bizarre. Our justice system must be accessible to all and we owe it to victims and survivors to support them, whatever the cost.”

Ms Bradley said that the lockdown had made the situation painful for many and that people were more vulnerable at a time like this.

“Domestic abuse is a horrendous reality for many women, men and children living across Northern Ireland,” she said.

“Whether it is physical violence or mental, emotional, financial or psychological abuse, it has a lasting and terrible impact on victims who are trapped in a cycle of torment.

“It is clear that victims and survivors across the North have been failed for far too long by a lack of legislation. This legislation is a small but important way we can do that.”