To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any assessment her Department has made of whether delays or barriers in accessing non-molestation orders, discourage victims from seeking legal protection.

No formal assessment has been made of whether victims have been discouraged from seeking legal protection if unable to access a non-molestation order in a timely way.

However, ensuring all victims of domestic abuse are supported to access effective protection through the courts is essential. To that end, my Department works closely with support organisations through the relevant frameworks and partnerships to ensure that victims can access advice and information about court procedures and the protections available.

Legal aid is also available to anyone, regardless of means, who needs to apply for the protection of a non-molestation order. While individuals may need to make a modest contribution towards the cost of their legal representation, this will generally be considerably less than they might pay privately, and is payable over time, on terms designed to be affordable in light of their financial circumstances.

Furthermore, while the Department of Finance has policy responsibility for the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order 1998, the legislation governing non molestation orders, I brought forward provision, in the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, to enhance the protections available to victims of domestic abuse giving evidence in family cases, including non-molestation order proceedings. This included provision for the use of special measures, enabling evidence to be given from behind a screen, or from outside the courtroom.