Dealing with abuse

Children and Young People’s Strategy 2020-2030

The Children and Young People’s Strategy 2020-2030 is a framework for government to improve the health and well-being of all children in Northern Ireland.

Co-operating to safeguard children and young people in Northern Ireland - August 2017

This policy is for safeguarding children and young people in the statutory, private, independent, community, voluntary and faith sectors.

It outlines how communities, organisations and individuals must work both individually and in partnership to ensure children and young people are safeguarded as effectively as possible.

Domestic and sexual abuse strategy for 2023-2030

The strategy makes clear that domestic and/or sexual abuse cannot be tackled in isolation, and that a whole society approach is required.

Central to this is ensuring the voices of victims, including children and young people, are valued and at the core of decision making.

It was also announced that a Children’s Sexual Offences Legal Advisers (SOLA) scheme will provide free legal advice to children and young people affected by sexual crime, as well as a small grant scheme to support the invaluable work provided by the community and voluntary sector.

Adult safeguarding: Prevention and Protection in Partnership

This policy was published by the former DHSSPS (now the DoH) and the DoJ, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive in July 2015.

A key objective is to reduce the incidence of harm from abuse, exploitation or neglect of adults who are at risk in Northern Ireland and to provide effective support and, where necessary, protective responses and access to justice for victims and their families.

Child protection and safeguarding policy and procedures

This policy has been prepared to provide a governance framework for the Education Authority (EA) in relation to its child protection and safeguarding responsibilities.

It is intended that the policy will promote the welfare for the child and young person; prevent harm occurring through early identification of risk and appropriate, timely intervention; and protect children and young people from harm when this is required.

What is Operation Encompass?

Operation Encompass is a partnership between the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland, the Education Authority and schools aimed at supporting children who witness domestic violence or abuse in the home.

How it works

If Police attend a domestic abuse call, and children are present, Operation Encompass allows the officers to pass on relevant information to the safeguarding team at the child’s school before 9am the following morning, so the right support can be put in place.

The information shared by Police is treated in strict confidence.

• talk to family and friends
• talk to a teacher
• seek advice online
• join a self-help group
• speak to a doctor - they can refer on to a counsellor
• talk to a voluntary organisation that deals with abuse
• speak to the police
• setting boundaries
• become educated on abuse
• reach out to a therapist
• discreetly document everything that’s happened

Strategies to deal with bullying

Bullying, including cyberbullying, is another persistent challenge that requires both personal strategies and government intervention.

Schools must foster an environment where bullying is not tolerated and where victims feel safe to speak out. Additionally, promoting emotional resilience and conflict resolution skills can empower young people to stand against bullying behaviours.