To ask the Minister of Justice to detail (i) the steps being taken to ensure a joined-up, multi-agency response to paramilitary-related coercive control, especially in relation to intimate partner violence; (ii) the measures in place to support women attempting to exit coercive relationships that involve paramilitary groups; and (iii) how trauma-informed safety plans are being integrated into this process.

There are a range of strategic initiatives in place that contribute to a joined up, multi-agency approach to supporting women and girls affected by paramilitary violence For example, the new Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) is designed to address the whole range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, including that inflicted by paramilitaries. In addition, the Departments of Health and Justice launched (on 25 September) the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy. This aims to address all forms of domestic and sexual abuse.

The Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC), for which I am lead Minister, also has in place a range of initiatives aimed at supporting women in areas most impacted by ongoing paramilitary activity. Programme officials are in close and regular contact with EVAWG officials to ensure that their efforts are aligned. They have also commissioned research to enable a better understanding of the impact of paramilitary harm on women, girls and young people; this has been shared widely and is available online.

EPPOC also funds the Trauma Informed Approaches work undertaken by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI). While there is still work to be done to implement trauma informed approaches across Departments, agencies and systems, I welcome the ambition in the draft Programme for Government to understand the impact of trauma on our society, as well as the commitment in the new EVAWG Strategic Framework to taking a trauma informed approach.

Whilst I am not aware specifically of trauma informed safety plans being implemented in Northern Ireland, there are various models of good practice in place within organisations that support women and children. Work will continue to ensure that trauma informed approaches are embedded so that we have a system that can listen and support people in a way that will have a lasting impact on society.