The National Steering Committee on Violence against Women (NSC) was established in 1998 following a recommendation of the Task Force Report on Violence against Women. The Task Force recommended that a national committee should be established, with membership drawn from all relevant sectors, to advise on policy development and priorities.

The Committee comprises the Non Governmental Organisations (NGO's) operating nationally on issues relating to violence against women, relevant government departments and agencies, the Law Society. The NSC agreed an updated remit of the NSC in early 2008 in order to put in place a better structure for working in partnership with the new national office dealing with violence against women issues, Cosc. The new remit of the NSC is to:

o advise on the development and implementation of policies and guidelines for action on domestic and sexual violence against women including those concerning services and supports, perpetrators, and State intervention;

• advise on research to be undertaken and needs assessments nationally;
• assist Cosc in the promotion of interagency co-operation and sharing of information;
• assist and advise Cosc in the development of codes of practice for collecting statistics and monitoring responses;
• assist and advise Cosc in promoting public awareness about the issues involved in violence against women;
• assist and advise Cosc in identification of legal issues affecting the prevention of, and action responding to, violence against women;
• share information on international developments in relation to the issue of violence against women.

The NSC meets on a quarterly basis.