To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail (i) how the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy is being implemented in respect of cases where victims of domestic abuse die by suicide; and (ii) what steps the Executive Office is taking to ensure cross-departmental learning and prevention in such cases.

The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategic Framework focuses on working better together, through a coordinated approach. This aligns with the Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) Strategy led by the Departments of Justice and Health which recognises the significant impact that domestic abuse has on victims.

The introduction of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 has changed the way the criminal justice system views and responds to domestic abuse. Protection is no longer limited to physical abuse, and the legislation criminalises a course of abusive behaviour including controlling or coercive behaviour, which may be psychological, emotional or financial in nature.

Domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) are in place to ensure that there is system-wide learning to improve the overall response to domestic abuse. DHRs in Northern Ireland do not currently extend to cases where a victim of domestic abuse dies by suicide as a consequence of that abuse.

The Department of Justice has indicated the intention to expand the remit of DHRs, in due course, to ensure that Departments and Agencies are able to learn from such tragic circumstances in order to safeguard other victims. However these cases are, by their nature, highly complex and it will be important that any policy around domestic suicides is properly informed and fully scoped.