Debate contribution: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Debate contribution by Mr Justin McNulty on .
- MLA
- Mr Justin McNulty
- 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 4736282
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I rise to speak on this important SDLP motion calling for immediate actions to put an end to the scourge of violence against women and girls, a scourge that is rampant in our society. The North of Ireland is one of the least safe places to be a woman in all of Europe. That is frightening and shameful, yet, unfortunately, it is not surprising. Violence is embedded in the very fabric of our society, and that has contributed to 25 women being tragically murdered here in the past four years, in most cases by someone known to them. Figures on domestic and sexual abuse paint a similarly disturbing picture, and the experience of victims and survivors pursuing justice through the justice system is shaped by more trauma. Significant resources have been put into reviews and strategies, and we know what is needed to improve the system, so why is it not being done? Almost six years since the Gillen review was published, we still wait for many of the recommendations to be fully implemented. The pace of change has been far too slow, and people here are facing the consequences of that inaction. The Gillen review calls for the defining of what does and does not constitute consent. I urge the Minister of Justice to bring forward the recommended changes to the existing legal definition of consent to ensure that victims of sexual violence are taken seriously and given the opportunity to pursue justice, unhindered by loose definitions of consent predicated on misogynistic stereotypes. Similarly, rape myths are all too prevalent across our society. Those stereotypes pervade each step of the justice system and process from the moment that someone decides to come forward to report a crime to the moment that the jury issues a verdict. That is a direct barrier to justice. I would like to know why the Minister has not implemented the numerous recommendations in the report in order to tackle rape myths across society and, in particular, in the justice system. The overarching theme of the review was cultural reform. We must challenge the violent, misogynistic stereotyping and victim-blaming attitudes that are present through all levels of society and have fostered an environment that allows murder, domestic abuse and sexual abuse to take place. I pay tribute to my colleagues in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, who brought forward a motion on tackling violence against women and girls. Consequently, the council is leading with 16 training days this year to tackle the issue. Finally, I want to highlight my concern about the low levels of investment in the ending violence against women and girls strategic framework. Serious reform is required to tackle the issue, yet only £3 million has been allocated thus far. That is totally inadequate given the severity of the issue, and I urge the relevant Executive parties and Departments to make sure that the strategy is fully funded so that it can be effective. I finish by returning to the 25 women who have been murdered here since 2020. Those 25 women were mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and so much more. My heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of each of those women.
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
540 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.06 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.96).
- No identity-based framing was identified (0.83).
- Subject area: Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.08 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.03 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.04 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.04 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.96 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.06 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 0.83 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.17 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 0.59 |
| Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issues | 0.41 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
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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