Four videos broadcast on TV last night and now available on YouTube tell the story of a paramilitary-style shooting from the point of view of the victim, his mother, the shooter and a witness.

Radio adverts from the same point of view and a poster will also be rolled out.

The www.endingtheharm.com website set up for the campaign includes real-life stories and information on where people can go for help and support.

Anthony Harbinson, chair of the Tackling Paramilitarism Programme Board, said: “In 2017/2018, 87 people were victims of paramilitary style attacks. That’s 22 people who were shot and 65 people who were assaulted over a 12 month period. Indeed, in the last five years, 417 people have endured these barbaric shootings and beatings.

“The reality is that the perpetrators of these attacks don’t care about people, or justice, or solving social problems. They are only interested in exerting control and exploiting people for their own gain.

“They don’t offer protection; their sole aim is to terrorise and control, and they use shootings, beatings, drug dealing, intimidation, and protection rackets as their weapons.

“We are launching this campaign because the toll these attacks take on our society cannot be ignored.

“It is time to call out this activity, and that is what we aim to do. We are adding to the voices of those who have been speaking out on this issue for some time now and have been highlighting the injustice and barbarity of such attacks, and the devastating reality that lies behind each one.”