To ask the Minister of Justice to outline the steps her Department is taking to improve communication and support for victims of sexual offences during lengthy court delays.

I recognise the unique challenges facing all victims of crime, but particularly victims of sexual offences, as a result of lengthy and complex court processes. I recognise that it is important that victims are provided with appropriate and timely information, advice and support to help minimise these impacts.

The Victim Charter sets out the entitlements and services that victims of crime in Northern Ireland can expect to receive from criminal justice organisations. This includes their right to receive updates on their case. The Charter also provides information about support services available, and what to do should anyone feel their Charter rights are not being upheld. The planned Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill includes a provision requiring criminal justice organisations to demonstrate compliance with Victim Charter entitlements, which I am confident will help to drive transparency and best practice across the criminal justice system.

In addition, my Department funds specialist advocacy services for high-risk victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, which are delivered by ASSIST NI. This service helps victims to engage with statutory and voluntary services and in doing so, helps to ensure victims receive regular updates on the status of their case, which is so important during lengthy investigations or court delays. The advocates will help explain processes, anticipated timeframes, and any changes to trial schedules in clear, trauma-informed language. Victims are assigned a dedicated support worker who acts as a single, trusted point of contact. This continuity builds trust, reduces re-traumatisation, and prevents victims from having to repeatedly share their story.

My Department also funds Victim Support Northern Ireland (VSNI) to provide a range of support services to all victims, including those who have experienced sexual crime. This includes the provision of emotional support, information, advice, assistance with claiming Criminal Injuries Compensation, court support services and signposting to other specialist services. VSNI’s Witness Service helps witnesses to prepare for court, and by accompanying witnesses as they give evidence can provide reassurance in advance of and during the trial process. The service ensures that victims feel supported, listened to, and confident in navigating the criminal justice system, even when proceedings are prolonged.

My Department also funds the NSPCC’s Young Witness Service, which provides support and reassurance to young people, children and their families, including those who have experienced sexual offences.

The Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) within PPS also provides victims of crime with a caseworker from the point that an investigation or charge file is submitted to the PPS, through to and including the outcome of any court proceedings. VWCU Case Officers keep victims updated on their case as well as referring victims for specific supports provided by other organisations.

Collectively these services and measures are contributing to providing victims of crime with appropriate communication, support and advice in a timely manner.

However, I acknowledge that there are opportunities to improve how victims are informed and supported through the criminal justice system. My Department chairs the cross-sectoral Victim & Witness Steering Group, which includes representation from victim organisations such as VSNI and NSPCC as well as Victim Champions from across the justice system. This steering group provides a platform for partnership working to ensure a systematic approach is taken to driving forward improvements.

My Department is currently finalising a new Victims and Witnesses of Crime Strategy for Northern Ireland. Its Vision is to increase confidence in the justice system by empowering and supporting all victims and witnesses with a trauma informed approach. In support of this, the draft strategy’s Mission Statement says that we will achieve this by providing victims and witnesses, including children, young people and vulnerable users, with tailored support and effective communication, in a transparent, rights compliant way.

Whilst effective communication is critical, tackling delay is also a key priority for my Department and criminal justice partners. The Criminal Justice Board has prioritised a programme of work to Speed up the Justice system. This is part of my Department’s Programme for Government commitments to reform the way in which criminal cases are handled. This includes getting the most serious cases to court more quickly, looking at the jurisdiction of the courts, and enhanced digital capabilities to deliver efficiencies, and how we can remove demand from the court system, such as less serious motoring offences, to help free up capacity for courts.