Causeway Coast Dog Rescue to hold Stormont meeting to advance Ruby's Law in NI
A Causeway Coast animal charity is to convene a meeting of government departments to progress Ruby’s Law, which aims to change the law to protect pets in households where there is domestic abuse.
Causeway Coast Dog Rescue is holding the meeting in Stormont on Wednesday, January 14, to bring together officials from the Departments of Justice, Health and Communities, alongside the PSNI, to discuss the policy, safeguarding and practical implications of Ruby’s Law, and its alignment with Northern Ireland’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategic Framework.
Discussions will focus on how existing systems can be strengthened to better identify risk, support victims, and reduce barriers to safety, particularly where fear for pets prevents individuals and families from leaving abusive situations.
The meeting will also highlight the critical role of the voluntary and animal welfare sector in early identification, prevention, and effective multi-agency working.
Barrister Christina Warner, founder of Ruby’s Law London, will attend the meeting to share legal and frontline insights into the link between domestic abuse, coercive control and harm to animals.
She said: “The importance of Ruby’s Law cannot be underestimated, and I am heartened to see Northern Ireland showing leadership in recognising the role that harm to pets can play in coercive control, protecting animals and protecting people.”
Also attending will be The Links Group, which has been raising awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals through collaboration, research, training and advocacy.
The roundtable will be chaired by Tara Cunningham, Manager at Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, who said: “Causeway Coast Dog Rescue sees first-hand how threats and harm to animals are used to control and silence victims of domestic abuse.
"By bringing key departments, advocates and decision-makers around the same table, we are taking a multidisciplinary approach to ensure Ruby’s Law is understood not simply as an animal welfare issue, but as a vital safeguarding and violence-prevention measure.”
MLAs will also attend, following the meeting, to engage with Christina Warner and officials, helping to raise awareness of the importance of Ruby’s Law and its potential to improve outcomes for victims, children and families across Northern Ireland.
“Further engagement with frontline services, statutory partners and the voluntary sector is planned as advocacy for Ruby’s Law continues,” added Ms Cunningham.