Debate contribution: Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031
Debate contribution by Mr Andrew Muir on .
- MLA
- Mr Andrew Muir
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 14 October 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Question for Urgent Oral Answer
- Heading
- Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-2031
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4590099
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her follow-up question. It is absolutely critical that we take practical actions, and there are many outlined in the strategies that we will talk about today. One thing that is particularly critical is how we work with the community and voluntary sector and those who provide support in the community. It is absolutely critical that we do that, because they are often the people on the front line, giving that assistance. They gave assistance to my mother when she was a victim of domestic abuse, and I want to say thank you to them for doing that. One of the challenges that we have is how we support the work that is being done in society in Northern Ireland through the Budget. It is critical that we support those organisations through next year's Budget.
I thank the Member for her supplementary question. I cannot answer for the diary of the Justice Minister, but it is a priority for her to take forward this action. That is reflected in legislation that was introduced in the previous mandate. It is a very serious issue not just for the Justice Minister but for the whole of the Executive and society. One of the most important aspects is breaking the stigma associated with it so that people do not hesitate to report it to ensure that victims can be freed from the perpetrators around us.
I recognise the need for funding to be provided to support delivery of outcomes under the draft strategy. The Minister of Justice has indicated that she will continue to use her seat on the Executive to argue for adequate funding to be made available to allow us to respond effectively to reduce and eliminate domestic and sexual abuse, safeguard those at risk, support those who have experienced it and bring perpetrators to justice. However, I also acknowledge the budgetary constraints that are faced across the whole of public-sector funding and recognise the need for us to focus on priorities and work collaboratively to ensure that limited resources are used effectively and efficiently deliver results. In 2024-25, the DSA ring-fenced budget is £1·62 million.
There is regular engagement between the Justice Minister and the PSNI. This subject will feature in many of their meetings and discussions. It is also one of the issues where we collectively need to support the police so that they have the resources to deal with it. This is a collective effort, not just for the police, but for us all.
420 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 (0.89).
- 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 | 0.03 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.01 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.02 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.89 | 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 | 0.77 |
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 0.21 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.02 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:20 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
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