Opening of Foyle facility providing support for domestic abuse victims welcomed

Justice Minister Naomi Long and Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey have welcomed the opening of the Foyle Family Justice Centre in Derry/Londonderry.

The focus of this project, which has been developed by Foyle Women’s Aid, is to provide housing and support accommodation in the North West area for women and their children who suffer from domestic abuse.

The Centre will provide a range of services to those affected by domestic abuse including crisis intervention, emergency accommodation, case management and self-sufficiency programmes.

The building brings relevant personnel from key agencies together in a single location to support victims of domestic abuse.  Those services will be available to both men and women.

Naomi Long said “I welcome the launch of this innovative facility today. The Foyle Family Justice Centre will provide benefits to help support victims. We know that victims having support is an important factor in reducing attrition rates in domestic abuse cases going through the criminal justice system.

 “By working together as partners, agencies and communities we want to achieve real, sustainable progress to prevent domestic abuse and ensure that those affected get support.

 “I believe that this the centre is a positive step forward for victims of domestic abuse and I would like to thank everyone involved for the hard work and commitment invested in the development of the project.”

 Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “Those fleeing domestic violence are in an incredibly vulnerable situation and need to know that support is available.  Having a safe, secure and comfortable place to live is a priority.  This centre includes emergency accommodation when it is needed most.  Importantly the centre will also provide a high quality, co-ordinated multi-agency response to domestic violence. Victims will be supported in determining the best solution for them and their family with a range of professionals co-located onsite to ensure a simplified and more accessible approach for victims.

 “My Department has provided funding of over £1.6m to help deliver this innovative new facility.  It is a demonstration of my commitment to ensuring that services and support are available for victims of domestic violence.

 “No one should have to suffer from threats of violence or domestic abuse, support is available.  I am committed to do all that I can to ensure the most vulnerable in our society are supported and protected.”

Watch: https://youtu.be/LBAyE8UUsd4

Notes to editors: 

1. The aim of the Foyle Family Justice Centre is to
   • provide housing and support accommodation in the North West area for women and their children who suffer from domestic abuse;
   • bring relevant personnel from key agencies together into one building;
   • reduce the number of locations that a victim has to attend;
   • reduce the number of bodies that a victim has to tell their experiences to;
   • help support victims; and
   • reduce attrition in criminal justice system cases.
2. Photo caption- Pictured with Justice Minister Naomi Long are Marie Brown, CEO Foyle Women’s Aid, District Judge Barney McElholm, Moira Doherty, Deputy Secretary Department for Communities.
3. Funding was provided towards the project by the Department of Justice, the Department for Communities and Apex Housing. The Department for Communities/Apex provided a total of £2.1m m in funding with the Department of Justice providing almost £0.5m
4. Department of Justice media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via email to: press.office@justice-ni.gov.uk.
5. Department for Communities media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Communities Press Office via email to: press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

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