To ask the Minister of Health, given the increase in men coming forward to report incidents of domestic abuse during the COVID-19 lockdown, what additional support he intends to make available to the voluntary sector to support these victims.

I am acutely aware that the response to covid-19 and the subsequent easing of lockdown has brought new challenges for people living through domestic abuse. My Department continues to work closely with other government departments, the PSNI and the voluntary and community sector to ensure that support services continue to operate during these difficult times.

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline continues to be available 24/7 for both men and women. This is a regional Helpline jointly funded by DoH, DoJ and DfC. It received an additional £20,000 at the start of the pandemic and has increased staffing levels to ensure it remains fully operational.

The Departments of Health and Justice jointly published additional guidance which brings together information and contact details of support services available to help all victims of domestic abuse. The document is available on the Department of Health website at: www.healthni.gov.uk/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-support-victims-domestic-abuse

My Department is also piloting the IRIS (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) programme with GP practices in two GP Federation areas (East Belfast and the Newry/Down district). IRIS provides GPs with training and support to help identify patients (male and female) affected by domestic and sexual abuse and refer them to specialist support. The pilot which is being delivered through a ‘consortium’ approach by Women’s Aid, Men’s Advisory Project, Nexus NI and Victim’s Support Service, is running for 12 months and will be evaluated at the end of the year to inform consideration of any further roll out.

Longer term, the Department continues to progress the delivery of the ‘Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Strategy’ in partnership with the Department of Justice. I have just published a new action plan for 2020/21 along with a progress report on work taken forward over the previous twelve months.