To ask the Minister of Education to detail any plans his Department has to introduce programmes aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women and girls.

I can advise that my Department is contributing to the Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Strategy, being led by the Department of Health and the Department of Justice. My officials are working closely with both Departments to progress actions in relation to education and awareness for all pupils, including in the areas of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and preventative education.

All publicly funded schools in Northern Ireland are required to deliver the statutory curriculum which includes RSE through Personal Development and Mutual Understanding at primary level and Learning for Life and Work at post-primary level and pupils, both male and female, are taught about the topic of violence within these areas. The school setting provides young people with opportunities to explore the characteristics of violent and abusive relationships in a safe and respectful environment together with information on who to go to if they feel uncomfortable or at risk.

My Department also provides funding of £60,000 per annum for the ‘Social Guardians’ and ‘Training for Trainers’ elements of the Helping Hands Programme, developed by Women’s Aid Federation NI. The aim of this programme is to increase teachers’ confidence, competence and capability to teach about sensitive topics, in this case domestic abuse, and respond appropriately to issues and concerns raised by pupils.