Ulster Unionist MLA Neil Somerville has welcomed the new adult safeguarding policy introduced in a joint partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Finance and Personnel.
Mr Somerville, who is a member of the Assembly’s Justice Committee, said;
“As a member of the Stormont Justice Committee I strongly welcome the news that new measures will be put in place to ensure that adults who are exposed to neglect, abuse or exploitation will have access to support and where necessary, protective responses and access to justice.
“These new measures are long overdue and as the policy document states, we must move away from the idea of having ‘vulnerable adults’ in our society and instead, adults who are exposed to neglect, abuse or exploitation. Every victim of a crime whether it's big or small deserves justice and I believe this new policy can help achieve this for many people.
“I look forward to these safeguarding measures being implemented and used to their full effect.”