To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to outline the measures which have been taken to produce a targeted health promotion approach to raising awareness of the health and social care needs arising from sexual violence and abuse, since 2011.

Since 2011, my Department has brought forward a range of measures which provide support to victims of sexual violence and abuse and raise awareness of their health and social care needs. These measures include: the provision of the government 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Helpline; the development and establishment of The Rowan, Sexual Assault Referral Centre; and the provision of a regional sexual abuse counselling service through Nexus NI. My Department also established Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland and partners with the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership to protect children at risk.

My Department’s Sexual Health Promotion Strategy aims to improve, protect and promote the sexual health and well-being of the population of Northern Ireland, and provide information and training on the Sexual offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 to those in the HSC and voluntary and community sectors working in the field of sexual health.