Justice and Health Ministers visit the Women’s Aid Family First project in Ballymena

The Ministers of Justice and Health have seen at first hand the transformative work being done by a domestic abuse charity in Northern Ireland.

Naomi Long and Mike Nesbitt visited Women’s Aid in Ballymena to meet some of the people who deliver the Family First programme, which provides an early intervention approach to address the devastating impact of domestic abuse on women and children.

Family Support Domestic Abuse Specialists work with mums and children in the family home and in refuge, providing intensive one-to-one family support, hands-on practical assistance and group work. 

The service is one of 14 projects which received financial support through the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Small Grant scheme, with £25,595 awarded to Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey (ABCLN) for the Family First programme.

Minister Long said:

“I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in delivering this programme, which is clearly an important resource in helping us address the issues which arise out of domestic abuse.

“It encourages the children taking part to explore subjects such as what makes an unhealthy relationship and what is coercive control, and helps them develop safety and planning support networks.

“The Domestic Abuse Specialists also help the mums to be the best parent they can be, supporting families to recover from the impact of domestic abuse.

“The project restores hope and helps participants on their journey from victim to survivor. This ultimately benefits everyone in society as those taking part in the programme lead more productive and healthy lives.”

Minister Nesbitt said:

“I would like to express my appreciation to Women’s Aid ABCLN for the opportunity to hear about the crucial work they do.

“The cross departmental Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy (2024-2031), which was formally launched in September 2024, reflects our commitment to addressing and mitigating the impacts of domestic and sexual abuse across all communities.

“The work being done by the Family First programme plays a crucial role in delivering the objectives of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, in particular our pillar for Children and Young People.

“I would like to thank Women’s Aid ABCLN for their dedication and commitment to this.”

As well as touring the refuge, the Ministers met some of the staff delivering the Family First project in which three domestic abuse specialists work with 36 mums and their children to reduce risk.

This in turn enables children to remain safely in the home with their mum and prevents them from going on the child protection register or into care.

Gillian Creevy, Women’s Aid ABCLN CEO, said:

“The Family First project was created in response to the unmet needs of women and children experiencing family breakdown as a result of domestic abuse. 

“Our specialist knowledge allowed us to develop an intensive, individually-tailored support service which could be offered over an extensive period. 

“Working in partnership with social work teams, our Domestic Abuse Specialists were able to demonstrate impressive outcomes, including the prevention, or removal, from the Child Protection Register of more than 300 children, allowing them to live in a secure and stable home with their mother.”

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy Small Grant Scheme is a new initiative under the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and was designed to support community and voluntary organisations in their essential work with victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse.