Long: Sexual abuse relies on stigma and fear to remain hidden
Date published:
The Justice Minister told a conference in Belfast today that confronting sexual abuse requires everyone to play their part.
Naomi Long was addressing the annual conference of charity Nexus NI, which works with survivors of abuse, and which this year had the theme ‘Unmasking sexual abuse – uncomfortable truths’.
Speaking during Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week, Minister Long said: “Thank you to Nexus NI for the vital work they do in supporting victims and survivors of sexual abuse across Northern Ireland.
“The theme of today’s conference, ‘Unmasking sexual abuse – uncomfortable truths’, speaks directly to the reality of this issue. Sexual abuse thrives in silence, secrecy and discomfort. It relies on stigma, fear and misunderstanding to remain hidden.
“Confronting it requires sustained action from all of us — even when that means facing truths that challenge institutions, systems and long-held assumptions. Too often, survivors have had to fight to be heard. We must ensure that listening to survivors is not an exception, but the foundation of everything we do.”
Minister Long continued:
“Addressing sexual violence is not only about responding after harm has occurred, but about preventing it in the first place by challenging attitudes, behaviours and social norms that allow abuse to happen.
“This requires long-term cultural change. That means investing in education around consent, respect and healthy relationships and ensuring that prevention reaches people at every stage of life.
“There are real opportunities — and responsibilities — for us to work together across political divides to strengthen protections, improve accountability and deliver meaningful change. Survivors deserve consistency, not conflict, when it comes to their safety and their rights.”
The interactive conference, at St Comgall’s in west Belfast, brought together lived experiences and professional expertise to deepen understanding and strengthen responses to sexual abuse across Northern Ireland.
Joanne Barnes, CEO of Nexus NI, said,
“At Nexus NI, we believe that real change begins when we confront uncomfortable truths. This conference is about amplifying voices that have too often been silenced and creating space for honest dialogue between those with lived experience, professionals and policymakers.
“Together, we can build a society where sexual abuse is not hidden and where support and justice are accessible to all.”
Notes to editors:
- Nexus NI is the leading organisation within Northern Ireland supporting individuals impacted by sexual abuse and abusive relationships. They provide support to anyone impacted by sexual abuse from age 8 and upwards. Anyone impacted by abusive relationships/domestic abuse can access support via the 24/7 Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline on 0808 802 1414, help@dsahelpline.org, or via dsahelpline.org. Anyone in need of immediate support before making a referral to Nexus, or while waiting for Nexus support to commence, can also contact the helpline at any time of day, any day of the year.
- The conference included lived experience stories, personal testimonies that bring the lived realities of sexual abuse into the open in a deeply human way, and expert-led workshops – practical sessions offering trauma-informed and survivor-centred strategies.
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