To ask the Minister of Health to detail the specialist counselling available for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Mental health support in Northern Ireland is available to anyone who needs it based on clinical need. Specialist counselling services are also available for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.

‘The Rowan’, our regional Sexual Assault Referral Centre, continues to help victims and survivors of sexual abuse recover both physically and emotionally. Specialist counselling for victims of sexual abuse is also available through Nexus NI, commissioned by the Health and Social Care Board (‘HSCB’). Men’s Advisory Project is also commissioned by the HSCB to provide anger management programmes, counselling and information services for victims of domestic abuse (primarily male) and those experiencing relationship breakdown.

My Department jointly funds the 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline with the Department of Justice and the Department for Communities. The Helpline is a confidential, Freephone service available 24/7.

In addition, my Department continues to develop the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety Programme with General Practice (also known as ‘IRIS’). IRIS trains and supports GPs to identify and refer patients affected by domestic and sexual abuse to specialist advocacy support. This programme is being co-produced with Women’s Aid, Men’s Advisory Project, Victim Support and Nexus NI and is currently running in East Belfast and Newry and Mourne Federations.