To ask the Minister of Justice pursuant to AQW 943/16-21, to outline when she proposes to engage with the Committee for Justice on a way forward for domestic violence and domestic abuse.

There has already been a range of engagement with the Committee for Justice on plans to make domestic abuse a specific criminal offence. On 27 October 2016 my officials briefed the Committee on the outcome of the public consultation on the potential implementation of a domestic abuse offence and a domestic violence disclosure scheme. At that session a commitment was given to brief the Committee before Christmas on the broad thrust of the proposals.

On 1 December I updated the Committee on my plans to bring forward a range of legislative proposals, including a new domestic abuse offence. Following this, my officials briefed the Committee on 8 December on progress to date on the domestic abuse offence and domestic violence disclosure scheme, with supplementary written briefing provided on 9 January 2017. Given the Committee’s interest in this area I have been keen to ensure that they are kept updated and fully engaged as this work is taken forward.