Debate contribution: Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy
Debate contribution by Mrs Naomi Long on .
- MLA
- Mrs Naomi Long
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 30 September 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4563960
Read the official Assembly record
Text
On 25 September, the Minister of Health and I announced the launch of the seven-year domestic and sexual abuse strategy, jointly led by the Department of Health and the Department of Justice. It was launched at an event hosted by the NSPCC and attended by those in the voluntary and community sector who helped to shape the strategy, along with departmental officials. One reason that we went to the NSPCC was that we recognise the impact that domestic and sexual violence has on children and young people. The strategy is closely aligned with the Executive's ending violence against women and girls strategy, but, importantly, it is gender-inclusive. I also announced the introduction of a small grant scheme that we will build on if and when further funding becomes available. It will offer members of the voluntary and community sector the opportunity to apply for funding to support new ideas and initiatives that align with our strategic objectives in the strategy. The grants will initially be drawn from our cross-cutting domestic and sexual abuse funding, with the goal of supporting vital work carried out by front-line organisations. We will also work closely with Executive Office colleagues to ensure that there is no duplication but, rather, that we reinforce the same messages as we try to end harm in our communities.
219 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.03 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.63).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issues.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.04 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.01 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.03 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.63 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.03 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issues | 0.75 |
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 0.25 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:12 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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