Debate contribution: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Debate contribution by Mr Maurice Bradley on 14 January 2025.

MLA

Mr Maurice Bradley

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

14 January 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Opposition Business

Heading

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4736345

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I support the DUP amendment on the serious issue of violence against women and girls. I highlight the fact that it is a societal problem that must never be tolerated, and it is our collective responsibility to protect the victims. Legal reforms must be carefully considered, evidence-based and balanced to ensure fairness for victims and the accused. Sexual crime cases often face low conviction rates and difficult legal processes, but progress is being made and there are increasing conviction rates. The focus should be on fair, transparent justice and not just statistics. Education is vital to challenge harmful rape myths, but interventions must be carefully calibrated to reflect juror attitudes. Delays in sexual offence cases cause further harm to the victims. The justice system must be reformed to address inefficiencies and reduce those delays. The laws around consent must be clear and fair for all parties and developed through consultation with victims, legal experts and the accused. Any legal changes, particularly to the reasonable belief defence, must consider the rights of defendants, ensuring a fair and balanced justice system. Many Members have highlighted the disgust that abides in the Chamber around the issue of violence against women and girls. Sinéad McLaughlin called for greater education to ensure confidence in the justice system. Emma Sheerin made a passionate plea for the case that Northern Ireland is the most unsafe place in Europe and highlighted the fact that 25 women have lost their lives since 2020. Connie Egan said that problems still exist and that, while the Gillen review is welcome, it needs further implementation, and she called for more judicial training. Doug Beattie called for a cross-departmental approach to dealing with the problem, and said that he would add the word "abuse" to the heading "violence against women and girls". He talked about the importance of early education. Sinéad Ennis highlighted the unwelcome shadow of violence and domestic abuse and the effect that it has on children and families across Northern Ireland. She called for the safety of all women and girls throughout the province.

Stephen Dunne highlighted the number of incidents that go unreported because of fear. According to Stewart Dickson, violence against women and girls is an epidemic: I agree. He called for a collective effort to tackle the failure to firmly take on violence against women and girls. Diana Armstrong highlighted the failure to tackle violence against women and girls and the misogynistic mindset across Northern Ireland, where women live in fear in their own home, in workplaces and in society in general. Justin McNulty made another passionate plea and called for an immediate end to the scourge of violence against women and girls. He criticised the slowness in implementing the Gillen report. Timothy Gaston highlighted historical violence against women and girls and the lack of movement in recognising it.

I apologise for Gerry, because he did not have much time either.

490 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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