Submission to the GREVIO Committee

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) has long expressed concern at the levels of gender-based violence experienced by children and young people in Northern Ireland (NI) with an understanding of the multi-level ‘social ecologies of violence and harm’, within the state, community, school and family systems which require a contextual safeguarding approach. The NI Children and Young People’s Strategy 2020-2030 (CYPS) is about improving the wellbeing of all children and young people by delivering positive long-lasting outcomes. The strategy has been developed in the context of the Children’s Services Co-operation Act (NI) 2015 (CSCA). The Act defines the well-being of children and young people with respect to eight characteristics, including: physical and mental health; living in safety and with stability; learning and achievement; economic and environmental well-being; the enjoyment of play and leisure; living in a society in which equality of opportunity and good relations are promoted; the making by children and young people of a positive contribution to society; and living in a society which respects their rights. However, not all children in NI get the best start in life, with many living with gender-based violence as both victims and perpetrators.

NI has been without a functioning Executive and Assembly since February 2022 which has led to a long line of draft policies, programmes, strategies and legislation queuing, waiting to be agreed and implemented. A number of these identified are about tackling gender-based violence and improving the lives of girls and boys. NICCY is deeply concerned that decades of austerity, the impact of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and a lack of an Executive has and will significantly impact on children and young people’s wellbeing for years to come.