Current NOTA (NI) Officers:
Chair - Siobhan Keating (BHSCT)
 Joint Secretary - Paul Stephenson (NSPCC)/Cathy O'Neill (PPANI)
Treasurer - Dee Kelly (Independent)
NEC Rep - Val Owens (Independent)

NOTA (NI) has a growing multi-disciplinary membership comprised of practitioners, managers and policy makers from the public, private and voluntary sectors. As a result, NOTA (NI) brings a wide variety of perspectives to interventions with sexual aggressors.

We currently have 90+ members in Northern Ireland and would welcome expressions of interest from possible new members.

For Further Information about membership, please contact Paul Stephenson

The following is a list of those on the steering committee in addition to the officers of NOTA NI as elected at the 2011 AGM: Committee,  Libby Ashurst (Barnardos SHB), Bob Webb (EXTERN), Tara Swann (PSNI), Marcella Leonard (PPANI), Veronica Grey (Volunteer Now), Gareth McGibbon (PBNI), Sam Hughes (PSNI), Sarah Ruston (NIPS)

On the 9^thNovember 2011 NOTA (NI) organised a conference in Belfast entitled "Sexual Violence: Facilitating Reintegration and Preventing Recidivism".  This conference presented a Northern Ireland perspective on how we deal with the challenges associated with the reintegration into society of those who have committed a sexual offence and interventions to prevent re-offending. The conference also considered the impact this has on the community and the survivor. With over 100 individuals in attendance, keynote speakers from the Public Protection Arrangements NI, Probation, survivors groups, academic bodies, the media and voluntary sector reflected on statutory responses and initiatives from the voluntary sector working towards creating a safer society. 

Conference Presenters

Opening Remarks Siobhan Keating Nota Chairperson

Public Protection Arrangements NI scene setting– Marcella Leonard PPANI Coordinator

Survivor perspective on re-integration– Community representative for survivors of sexual abuse

Community impact of resettlement of offenders – Susan Reid:  CEO Victim Support NI

Mindsets and public attitudes.- Shadd Maruna and Dr Anne Marie McAlinden:Department of Criminology QUB    

Media perspective on re-integration- Kathryn Torney: The Detail

Stop It NowUKand Ireland -Donald Findlater: Director of Stop it Now! UK and Ireland

Maintaining those who have committed sexual offences in the community–

Bob Webb: Floating Support

Lesley Bell Probation Board for NI

Paul Stephenson ex- Circles of Support and Accountability volunteer

For full power point presentation please click here

NOTA (NI) held it’s 2011 AGM (click here for NOTA NI 2010-11 report) and conference in Queen’s University Belfast on the 5^thMay with over 100 attendees and a wide range of speakers. The conference title was:

"Integrating Child Protection and Forensic Mental Health Care for Young People in the Community who Display Sexually Harmful Behaviour"

The following are a list of keynote speakers and workshops:

Tony Rodgers Assistant Director of Social Services, HSC Board; Regional Child Protection Committee to Safeguarding Board Northern Ireland

Dr John DevaneyLecturer Queens University Belfast; Domestic Violence – the consequences for young people’s own behaviour

Dr Graeme Richardson; The Need for a Forensic CAMHS Model in Northern Ireland

Sherry Ashfield Lucy Faithfull Foundation; Young girls and women who sexually offend

                 Click here for full keynote presentations and final address by Libby Ashurst
 

See links below for the four Workshops –

Can Domestically Violent Men Change? – the implications for their children Maurice Mahon and DrJohn Devaney

What is Sexually Harmful Behaviour and when does it need a Forensic Assessment?  Dr Graeme Richardson and Mary Ferris

Women and Young girls who sexually offend Sherry Ashfield

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy with children and young people who demonstrate sexually harmful behaviours.  Dr Angela O'Rawe and Libby Ashurst

NOTA NI have also agreed a business plan click here for more details

NOTA NI have a number of briefing papers for distribution to the wider public on the following topics:
How do the Statutory Agencies Protect the Public from Sex Offenders in Northern Ireland?
What Kind of Treatment Programmes are there for Sex Offenders in Northern Ireland?
Does Treatment of Sex Offenders Work?
Who Commits Sexual Offences and What’s the Risk in Northern Ireland?
People with a Learning Disability at Risk of Sexual Offending
Would Community Notification Work in Safeguarding Children?
Young People with Sexually Harmful Behaviour
Housing in the Community for People Who Sexually Offend
     Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults from Sexual Abuse