Debate contribution: Nexus: 40th Anniversary

Debate contribution by Mr Gerry Carroll on 9 December 2024.

MLA

Mr Gerry Carroll

Party at the time

People Before Profit Alliance

Date

9 December 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Nexus: 40th Anniversary

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4698808

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank the chair of the caucus for tabling the motion, and I thank Nexus for 40 years of vital work, as Members said. We also have to mention that the Executive have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to tackle sexual and domestic abuse and to end violence against women, but we have to look at their track record and highlight and challenge it, especially as they have failed to do those things. The Executive rejected a bid for transformation funding to tackle violence against women and girls. That somewhat shows where their priorities lie. We have to fight for a society that is free from sexism, exploitation and gender-based violence. That includes providing the funding to programmes when they are needed, including those from the likes of Nexus, Women's Aid and others. A lack of social and affordable housing means that many women are unable to break free from abusive relationships. We heard about the housing supply strategy earlier, but nothing was mentioned about supporting people who are victims or survivors of violence or domestic abuse. We also have the scandal of women who are being abused or going through trauma not being able to get intimidation points. That is unfathomable. It needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Women are, obviously, more likely to be responsible for household finances, and they usually work in lower-paid jobs, which traps them in abusive relationships. The increase that I have witnessed in the number of constituents who come to me about gender-based violence is also concerning. I hazard a guess that that is the case in not just my constituency but, unfortunately, is probably the same across the board, which points to the problem. The worrying rise in those figures is reflected in my constituency office and probably in others. We need to see emergency funding for safe refuges and other domestic violence services. A few years ago, we saw Regina Coeli House close down with the loss of the provision of 21 spaces. Those spaces have not been matched, as far as I am aware. That was a real loss, and women lost their jobs. We need to see sustainable funding for the community and voluntary sector organisations that provide all those services, year in, year out. We need to see investment in sexual assault treatment units and counselling for survivors. We also need to see more funding for civil legal aid services and for the courts to process cases promptly, which does not always happen. The Executive have said that they are using six suppliers to:

"work on projects that will use data, tech and design innovations to tackle violence against women and girls".

They need to expand on that. How do they propose to use data, tech and design innovation to protect women and girls? How will those tools be used, and when will they be implemented? They state:

"Delivery of the Strategic Framework will take a trauma informed approach, will be evidence based and data driven."

That sounds too vague to me and to many others. What is that strategic framework, and how will it be trauma-informed? Obviously, helplines are very important and essential in many, many cases, but we have to look at why there is such a need for them in the first place and at how we are going to reduce violence by increasing funding for women's aids and counselling services. We also need to look at how we can challenge beliefs in society, as Members said, but particularly in schools about not only masculinity but proper and healthy relationships. That is not done across all schools. We need to see early intervention and early prevention. People's lives — women's lives — depend on it. The Executive have to be held accountable for congratulating Donald Trump on his re-election. This is a man who has been accused of sexual assault. He is an extremely misogynistic head of state, and, for many people, congratulating him is an insult to women everywhere. Associating with people like that can, in many cases, encourage further violence rather than abolish it. It also worth noting that End Violence Against Women stated that 76% of women think that the culture of policing has to change in order to better respond to violence against women and girls. It is worth remembering that Sarah Everard was murdered by a police officer and that people who protested against her killing were attacked by police officers. Something needs to be said about police services and their role in upholding sexist values in society. I do not and, increasingly, many women do not believe that the police are best placed or most appropriately placed to tackle violence against women, never mind to prevent it.

How many times have we heard about a woman reporting threatening or violent behaviour, usually by someone known to them, as the Member opposite stated, only for the police to excuse it or shrug their shoulders, with the woman ending up in hospital or worse?

Prevention is obviously key. That starts by investing in services —

— and allowing women access to the financial measures to enable them to leave an abusive relationship.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:41 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification