On 28th September 2026, the Justice Minister, Naomi Long, launched a new public communications campaign to mark significant progress for victims of sexual crime.
Launching the ‘Justice is Changing’ campaign, Long said it demonstrates a commitment by the Department of Justice to deliver for victims across Northern Ireland.
The campaign aims to highlight the services introduced by the Department to support victims of sexual abuse; many of which were developed in response to the Gillen Review, an independent review of the handling of serious sexual offence cases within the Northern Ireland justice system.
Ms Long said: “Victims of sexual crime told the Gillen Review that the justice process could often exacerbate their trauma; particularly through unnecessary delays, invasions of privacy, and a lack of timely support and information.
“We have listened to these concerns and directly addressed them through a range of new measures.
“I hope this campaign raises public awareness of the services that are now available and that it will encourage victims to come forward and report these crimes and to remain within the justice system until their case concludes”.
The services introduced by the Department and its partners include:
- Remote Evidence Centres (RECs): Centres in Belfast and Craigavon, alongside the existing NSPCC-led facility in Derry/Londonderry, allow victims to give evidence in a safe environment away from the courthouse and defendant. In 2025, more than 600 witnesses gave evidence from a REC, with conviction rates around 90%.
- Sexual Offences Legal Advisors: The SOLA scheme provides publicly funded legal advice to adult complainants in serious sexual offence cases, with more than 2,200 people supported since 2021. The scheme was extended to children in 2025, with more than 400 child victims supported by a CSOLA.
- Stronger anonymity protections: The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) NI Act 2022 strengthened anonymity protections, increased penalties for breaches and allowed the public to be excluded from courtrooms during serious sexual offence trials.
- Rape Myths = Real Harm: A social media campaign challenging misinformation and harmful myths about sexual crime.
- Committal reform: Changes have removed the requirement for victims of sexual offences to give oral evidence at two separate hearings, helping to reduce delays and the burden on victims.
- Under 13/16 Protocol: A judge-led protocol is helping to reduce delays in sexual offence cases involving young children.
- Belfast Domestic Abuse Contest Court: A specialist court putting victims of domestic and sexual abuse first. Complainants give evidence from the Belfast REC, with specialist prosecutors and support services available. The Court starts at 11am to allow for family commitments, with conviction rates around 90%.
The Minister continued: “We have made good progress but I’m determined to keep going and build on the measures already in place.
We are working towards the introduction of a Barnahus type model to Northern Ireland; the creation of guidance for the media in relation to the reporting of rape and other sexual crimes and the introduction of new measures in the Victims & Witnesses Bill, introduced to the assembly in June, that will further protect the disclosure of complainants’ personal information, including counselling notes and medical records.
Sexual assault is one of the most heinous and violating crimes, and it can have a devastating and lasting impact on victims. As Justice Minister, I will do all I can to ensure that the justice system does not exacerbate that trauma.”
The ‘Justice is Changing’ campaign will run across the Department’s social media channels. Full details of the changes made by the Department as part of the Gillen implementation programme can be found at: Gillen Review Report into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in NI | Department of Justice
