05/07/2001

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO SUPPORT VICTIMS

A NEW website aimed at providing information on the role of the Government’s Victims Unit and raising awareness of victims and survivors issues was launched this week at Stormont.

The website at will provide details of organisations offering support to victims and gives information on possible sources of funding available to individual victims and victims groups. It also outlines the responsibilities of departments in the devolved administration, and gives details of the helpline operated by the Victims Unit.

Junior Stormont minister Denis Haughey, who launched the website said: “We are determined to raise awareness of issues affecting victims, and are totally committed to improving services on their behalf. The website will help raise the profile of victims' needs, while offering a valuable source of information to everyone concerned.

“We are consulting widely with a range of victims' representatives, in order to hear their views on how best to meet their needs. The website is part of that continuing consultative process, and we want to hear as many representative views as possible in order to continue to meet and develop the services on offer.”

Mr Nesbitt who is also a junior minister said: “The website also provides details of the Victims Unit Helpline, which has been set up to help in cases where individual victims and survivors are having difficulties in dealing with the devolved government departments, their agencies or other public bodies.

“We want to ensure that the Victims Unit delivers high quality help and services across the devolved administration, and would therefore welcome feedback to determine what improvements might be made.”

(AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 January 2007
Victims Commissioner appointment not quashed
A High Court ruling has not quashed the appointment of Bertha McDougall as the Northern Ireland Interim Victims Commissioner. However, in his ruling Lord Justice Girvan said that the appointment was "improper and politically motivated.
18 September 2014
Online Help For Domestic Violence Victims Launched
Online resources to provide help for victims of domestic violence have been launched at Belfast City Hall. The project follows funding of £5,000 from the South Belfast District PCSP and £2,000 from the East Belfast PCSP.
30 April 2008
Victims Highlighted As Trauma Centre Praised
With victims' issues very much on the agenda in general, a visit by Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson to an innovative facility aimed at dealing with trauma was well timed. He called at the Shankill Stress and Trauma Centre to congratulate staff on 21 years of delivering support to victims.
07 August 2008
£36m For Victims' Strategy
Members of the Northern Ireland Executive have unveiled plans for a £36million victims' money pot, set aside to deal with the needs brought forward by sufferers of the Troubles. The strategy has outlined a blueprint of how those sitting around the Executive table hope to deal with the sensitive issue of victims.
08 May 2002
Ministers off to Spain to meet victims’ groups
Northern Ireland Office Victims Minister Des Browne and Junior Stormont Minister Des Haughey are to meet with politicians and victims’ groups in Spain.