NI: Domestic abuse bill to be introduced in April or May
Reading time: 1 minute
Naomi Long
Domestic abuse legislation will be introduced at Stormont by April or May this year, Justice Minister Naomi Long has said.
Department of Justice officials “are currently working with legislative counsel to finalise a Domestic Abuse Bill for introduction locally”, she said.
Under the proposed law, first announced two weeks ago, it will be an offence for a person to engage in a course of abusive behaviour (on two or more occasions) against someone who they are personally connected to.
It follows the creation of new domestic abuse offences in England and Wales in 2015 and Scotland in 2019.
Ms Long said: “I would hope, with the agreement of the Executive, that the draft Bill could be introduced into the Assembly by April/May this year.”
Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss articles like this one:
SUBSCRIBE
