The North Down MLA was speaking after the Department of Finance announced it is committed to introducing provisions similar in effect to Jade’s Law. This law would remove parental responsibility of anyone convicted of the murder or voluntary manslaughter of a person with whom they share parental responsibility.
Ms Egan said: “The commitment made today by the Finance Minister to bring forward these reforms of parental responsibility and family law in Northern Ireland is a welcome first step. What must follow now is concrete action.
“I have been engaging with Women’s Aid and the NSPCC on several issues relating to private family law, and last month we had a constructive meeting with the Finance Minister to put our concerns on the record relating to private family proceedings, including the contents of Jade’s Law.
"We have heard from families, such as Amy Doherty’s, calling for this change. These families are being forced to consult an offender on the care of a child, whilst navigating extremely tough new realities and grieving a devastating loss. Jade’s Law puts the best interests of children first and will provide much reassurance to those who have already gone through a distressing experience.
“I commend the tireless campaigning of organisations like Women’s Aid to make this change happen. We as a society must take a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse, especially in cases where that results in the fatality of a victim. I look forward to engaging with the Department of Finance and will continue to push for this legislation to ensure it is introduced as soon as possible."
Ms Egan said: “The commitment made today by the Finance Minister to bring forward these reforms of parental responsibility and family law in Northern Ireland is a welcome first step. What must follow now is concrete action.
“I have been engaging with Women’s Aid and the NSPCC on several issues relating to private family law, and last month we had a constructive meeting with the Finance Minister to put our concerns on the record relating to private family proceedings, including the contents of Jade’s Law.
"We have heard from families, such as Amy Doherty’s, calling for this change. These families are being forced to consult an offender on the care of a child, whilst navigating extremely tough new realities and grieving a devastating loss. Jade’s Law puts the best interests of children first and will provide much reassurance to those who have already gone through a distressing experience.
“I commend the tireless campaigning of organisations like Women’s Aid to make this change happen. We as a society must take a zero-tolerance approach to domestic abuse, especially in cases where that results in the fatality of a victim. I look forward to engaging with the Department of Finance and will continue to push for this legislation to ensure it is introduced as soon as possible."