Debate contribution: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Debate contribution by Ms Sinéad McLaughlin on 14 January 2025.

MLA

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

14 January 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Opposition Business

Heading

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4736207

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I begin by putting on record my horror and deep concern over the epidemic of violence against women and girls that continues to plague Northern Ireland. It is a subject that we have discussed many times in the Chamber, and it continues to blight the lives of far too many women and girls in our communities. In 2023, 33,000 domestic abuse incidents were reported to the police. That is 33,000 individuals who have gone through the most unimaginable horror and who will have to go through an incredibly difficult healing process. We all know, however, that that is only the tip of the iceberg. The wider consequences that many children and families have to endure as a result of the trauma of domestic abuse and violence are really affecting our society. No part of this island has been untouched by the epidemic of violence. We have seen an unprecedented amount of violence throughout our towns and city centres that has left women and girls fearing for their safety and unable to leave their home. That is unacceptable in a modern society. The ending of violence against women and girls is not just a policy matter but a moral obligation for all Members. We must ensure that that violence is stamped out so that women and girls are no longer subjected to it. The recent publication of the ending violence against women and girls strategy represents a step in the right direction. The strategy focuses on important aspects of the issue, such as prevention, protection and justice. It will, however, ultimately fall short of generating the real change that we need to see if we do not address critical legislative gaps. That is why the full implementation of the Gillen review must continue. As has been said many times before, that comprehensive piece of work offers us the potential to transform how the justice system responds to sexual and domestic violence. Although admirable progress has been made in some areas, some of his recommendations remain unfulfilled. Reform of the reasonable belief defence and pretrial jury education are absolutely needed. The reasonable belief defence has allowed subjective excuses to shield offenders from facing the consequences of their actions. We saw that play out in the 2018 rugby rape trial, as the defendants, who were ultimately found not guilty, argued their innocence based on the presumed belief that the victim had consented. We must introduce a robust and objective standard that ensures that perpetrators cannot easily claim ignorance of whether consent was given. Not only would such reform better protect victims but it would help strengthen public confidence in the justice system. Restoring public confidence and addressing societal issues and attitudes through a form of pretrial jury education is also an integral part of the Gillen review. Research has previously found that the conclusions of juries are sometimes determined, at least in part, by jurors' previously held beliefs instead of on evidence and actual deliberations. In trials, we must ensure that informed decision-making happens that is based on facts, not on stereotypes and myths. As with many things, education can be the greatest tool to deal with an issue, and that is why we are calling for pretrial jury education. The road to eradicating violence against women and girls is long, but it must be one that encompasses the whole of society through education and awareness campaigns that challenge deeply entrenched misogynistic attitudes. The motion gives the Assembly the opportunity to dedicate its support to the countless women and girls who have suffered because of violence and systemic failures. Such support and reform cannot be achieved by the Department of Justice alone. Rather, it must be the responsibility of the Executive to deliver. It is time for us to come together to ensure that the motion translates into tangible progress, delivering justice and safety for women and girls right across Northern Ireland.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:47 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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