Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Domestic abuse laws ‘show victims they are not alone’
Minister 14-yr terms hails new Bill for attackers
THE creation of tough legislation targeting domestic abusers shows victims they are not alone, the Justice Minister said.
The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill is due to have its final reading at the Assembly today and, if passed, will become law soon afterwards.
A person convicted of the worst offending will face up to 14 years in prison.
The draft law includes the creation of a new domestic abuse offence, allowing for heavier sentences where children are involved, and stiffening penalties for any wrongdoing where domestic abuse is associated with it.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “It will make a real and tangible difference to people who are abused.
“It recognises that not all domestic abuse is physical.
“That is an important change in the law – emotional, financial, sexual, technological and digital abuse can have an effect on someone through coercive and controlling behaviour.”
She added some people had suffered increasing levels of abuse over a long time and noted
DRAFT Mrs Long
Stormont power-sharing was suspended for three years.
Mrs Long added: “It seems like they have waited a very long time. “We now have this legislation passing its final reading hopefully on Monday, allowing us to completely transform how we deal with domestic abuse.” She said she wanted to raise awareness of the criminality.
Mrs Long added: “We are encouraging the public not to see it as a private and behind-closed-doors matter. It is a crime and needs to be reported for the sake of those suffering abuse. It is important to speak up.”
Mrs Long paid tribute to the victims and their advocates, adding it presented an opportunity now the law recognised the harm as abuse.
She said: “It gives them the courage to come forward, to know they are not on their own and have nothing to be ashamed of and know they will be supported when they come forward.”