Claire Edgar, partner at Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors, facilitated the Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence’s first-ever UK training course in Belfast this week.

Judges, prosecutors, women’s support organisations and law enforcement professionals were among the participants.

The programme, funded by the Avon Foundation for Women, started on Tuesday and ended today.

Through an “interactive and holistic approach” to training, the course focused on victim safety and offender accountability.

Speaking ahead of the course, Ms Edgar said: “I am delighted to take part as course facilitator in this unique training initiative from the Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence.

“For many years in my professional career, I have advised and assisted clients in respect of issues arising from domestic abuse and have worked closely with organisations such as Women’s Aid in supporting the need for further protection within our justice system for those who have been the victims of domestic abuse.

“More work must be done in Northern Ireland in terms of developing the law surrounding domestic abuse and how the court supports and assists victims and it is hoped that the new proposed legislation surrounding coercive control in England and Wales will be implemented into law here in Northern Ireland in due course.”