Minister of Justice Naomi Long Opens Nexus NI Annual Conference: Unmasking Sexual Abuse – Uncomfortable Truths
Nexus NI welcomed Minister of Justice Naomi Long to officially open its Annual Conference, Unmasking Sexual Abuse – Uncomfortable Truths, held at St Comgall’s – Ionad Eileen Howell, Belfast.
The conference brought together lived experiences, frontline professionals, and political leaders to tackle one of society’s most pressing issues: sexual abuse and sexual violence. Minister Long’s presence underscored the importance of cross-party collaboration and legislative action to strengthen protections and support for those affected.
Minster Long said, “Thank you to Nexus NI for the vital work they do in supporting victims and survivors of sexual abuse across Northern Ireland. The theme of today’s conference, ‘Unmasking sexual abuse – uncomfortable truths’, speaks directly to the reality of this issue. Sexual abuse thrives in silence, secrecy and discomfort. It relies on stigma, fear and misunderstanding to remain hidden.
She continued, “Confronting it requires sustained action from all of us — even when that means facing truths that challenge institutions, systems and long-held assumptions. Too often, survivors have had to fight to be heard. We must ensure that listening to survivors is not an exception, but the foundation of everything we do. Addressing sexual violence is not only about responding after harm has occurred, but about preventing it in the first place by challenging attitudes, behaviours and social norms that allow abuse to happen. This requires long-term cultural change. That means investing in education around consent, respect and healthy relationships and ensuring that prevention reaches people at every stage of life. There are real opportunities — and responsibilities — for us to work together across political divides to strengthen protections, improve accountability and deliver meaningful change. Survivors deserve consistency, not conflict, when it comes to their safety and their rights.”
The conference included powerful testimonies that illuminated the realities of sexual abuse and offer insights no statistic or theory can provide, alongside expert-led workshops, a policy panel and networking opportunities throughout the day.
Joanne Barnes, CEO of Nexus NI said, “We are delighted to have Minister Long joining us today and officially opening our annual conference. Her commitment to justice and willingness to engage in these challenging conversations sends a powerful message of hope and progress.
She continued, “This event is about shining a light on uncomfortable truths and working together—across sectors and communities—to create meaningful change. We are excited for the discussions ahead and the opportunity to amplify voices that need to be heard.”
