Domestic Violence & Abuse Committee
The Domestic Violence Committee was established in 2018 by the SBNI. The focus of the Committee is to ensure the child is recognized as a victim in their own right where domestic violence has occurred.
Aim
To provide a voice to children and young people affected by domestic violence and abuse and ensure they are protected and supported.
Objectives
- To work with government departments and their agencies to prevent domestic violence and abuse (DV&A) from occurring;
- To work with partners engaged in the DV&A arena to raise awareness among parents/carers and professionals of the effect of DV&A on children and young people living with DV&A; and
- To work with partners engaged in the DV&A arena to promote education for children and young people, living with DV&A, in how to recognise, respond and seek help in relation to DV&A.
Membership
The group is chaired by an Assistant Director of National Society for the Prevention Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Membership comprises representatives from the five Health and Social Care Trusts and;
- Barnardo’s
- Domestic & Sexual Violence Partnership
- Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI)
- Nexus
- Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI)
- Probation Board Northern Ireland (PBNI)
- Public Health Agency (PHA)
- Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland (SBNI)
- Women’s Aid Federation NI
- Youth Justice Agency (YJA)
The representatives from the Health and Social Care Trusts also chair the local domestic violence partnerships. Their presence on the Committee thus facilitates connectivity with local and regional initiatives.