Debate contribution: Jeffrey Donaldson: Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Conviction
Debate contribution by Ms Emma Sheerin on .
- MLA
- Ms Emma Sheerin
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 23 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Matter of the Day
- Heading
- Jeffrey Donaldson: Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Conviction
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5636678
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Yesterday, we saw former Member of this House Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of child sexual abuse charges, including rape. Our thoughts are with his victims, who have suffered more than any of us could ever comprehend. I want to commend them for the strength and dignity that they have shown, both in coming forward to report the abuse in the first instance and over the course of recent weeks during a trial that saw every element of their lives pulled apart and examined. Their resilience throughout that process has been nothing short of admirable, and I hope beyond hope that it gives other survivors the courage to come forward. How someone capable of such depravity could rise through the ranks of political office and retain the trust and confidence of so many for so long is hard to comprehend. He used his position to ensure the silence of his victims and attempted to gaslight them upon being confronted. His attitude and his audacity compounded the harm that he inflicted through his actions. No one is above the law, and I hope that all victims watching this unfold will take strength from that. Justice in this case was hard fought for and so deserved. I hope that the survivors receive the support that they should have had all those years ago. To all those who are triggered by this news, we send our solidarity. Please come forward; reach out for help. There are organisations out there, such as Nexus, that do incredible work and are there for you. No one deserves to be abused. It is never your fault.
268 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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