Naomi Long

Justice Minister Naomi Long yesterday announced plans to bring an amendment to the Justice (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill later this year to change the existing law.

The abuse of trust offences set out in the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 only apply to positions of trust within statutory settings such as education and health care.

The proposed changes would widen the scope of the offence to include non-statutory settings. These will be determined in collaboration with key voluntary sector partners including NSPCC and those representing sports organisations and faith groups.

Mrs Long said: “I am fully committed to protecting the safety of young people in our society and to ensuring that our law is robust in safeguarding their interests.

“I am very aware of calls to change the law, including from NSPCC, the sports sector and faith groups, and I agree that the law needs tightening. I am very conscious that people working in the non-statutory sector can have a significant level of influence and power over impressionable young people in their care, and some can abuse their positions of responsibility.

“I propose to strengthen the law in Northern Ireland, widening the scope of the existing position of trust legislation to afford our young people greater protection across a broader range of environments.”