Simon Harris

The Department of Justice today published an independent study on familicide and domestic and family violence death reviews which has been being considered by ministers since last year.

The Department has said it is convening a cross-functional interdepartmental group to examine how to bring forward its recommendations, as well as an advisory group of relevant NGOs and a separate advisory committee drawn from bereaved families.

Justice minister Simon Harris said: “Earlier this month I met with all family members who have contributed to the report. We discussed not only their experiences and the report, but also the next steps and key actions, including those identified by the families in our discussions.

“This was absolutely necessary and the right and proper thing to do and all family members now have a final copy of the report.

“Whilst my Department was not involved in the work of the study, nor was it a member of the study’s advisory group, given the importance of the issues involved, I am committed to enact suitable recommendations as a priority.

“I want to get going on the next steps — to implement the recommendations. The way to do that is by bringing this to government, as I have done today, and to publish it.

“Once published, we will be able to bring together the three groups that will really be central to helping us advance the most important recommendations of the report.

“Most importantly there will be a family group — made up of families of victims interested in working with us — that will operate in parallel to the other two groups.”