Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Emma Sheerin on 16 June 2026.

MLA: Ms Emma Sheerin
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 16 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5624689

Text

I thank the Member for giving way. There are a couple of parts to my intervention. First, the Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime supports the amendment, and she is well versed in the needs and experiences of victims here. Secondly, as a woman, I can say with absolute clarity, because every woman whom I have ever spoken to in my life has experienced some sort of sexual misconduct, assault or something that should not have happened to them, that I would like that not to happen to anyone else. When a young person who potentially does not fully understand the repercussions of their actions is criminalised, the likelihood of their being educated about the fact that what they did was wrong, and why it was wrong, is slim. The alternatives that would have been created, however, had we been able to legislate to raise MACR would have included that education, ultimately leading to fewer victims. I struggle, because, in his introduction, the Member told us that he worked with young people for 20 years. Why, then, go down a punitive route instead of an empathetic one?

187 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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