Part of Question for Urgent Oral Answer – in the Northern Ireland Assembly am 2:45 pm ar 2 Gorffennaf 2024.
I have, indeed, had representations from and a direct meeting with a number of bodies that represent people who are in that space. There was no intention by me as Minister, my officials, Sir John Gillen, who asked that there be anonymity up to the point of charge, or any Member of the House who passed that legislation to cause any harm or distress to any victim; quite the contrary. The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill was brought forward with a view to enhancing the protections for victims in court and in wider society. It is important that we reflect on that. I am absolutely clear that there was no intention on anyone's part to cause harm, nor would I ever wish to do so.