To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the funding which has been provided for research into sexual violence and abuse, including the strategies which address these directly, since 2011.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), and the Department of Justice (DoJ) jointly lead on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse.

OFMDFM has been advised that since 2011, DHSSPS has not provided any funding for research into sexual violence and abuse, either through or independent of the ‘Tackling Sexual Violence and Abuse’ Strategy.

DoJ has advised that, as part of its five-year victim and witness strategy, it has committed to undertake research with victims of serious and sensitive crimes, including sexual violence and abuse, subject to the necessary resources being available. The aim of this research will be to assess victims’ experience of the criminal justice system, with a view to addressing issues raised.

Junior Ministers remain committed to tackling all forms of domestic and sexual violence and are members of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

The Executive’s Gender Equality Strategy 2006-2016 sets out an overarching framework for departments, their agencies and other relevant statutory authorities to promote gender equality. The Strategy contains a key objective to eliminate gender based violence in society.