'If we fight, we can win' - How we can tackle the epidemic of violence against women in Northern Ireland
Over the past four years in Northern Ireland, 24 women have been violently killed. Of these women, all but one were killed by a man, or it is a man who has been charged in connection with their deaths.
In at least 20 of the 24 deaths the killers, or suspects, were well-known to the women, with 18 of these women being killed in their own homes. PSNI figures show domestic abuse is reported on average every 16 minutes, but the real figure is likely to be higher, as many cases remain unreported.
Gender based violence in Northern Ireland has been described as an "epidemic", with the region now one of the most dangerous places in Europe for women.
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But where do we go from here? Where to we even begin to address the major issue of the rise of violence against women and girls? We spoke with groups working on the ground addressing gender based violence to try and answer these questions.
Societal changes
In figuring out where we begin to tackle attitudes that may lead to violence, Eva Martin, organiser for ROSA in Belfast, said we need to tackle this from the societal level. This can take form through challenging misogyny when we see it, such as in the workplace.
Women's Aid Federation NI, a not-for-profit organisation addressing domestic and sexual violence and providing services for women and children, said the issue needs to be looked at as a "whole society" issue, rather than just a "women's issue."
A spokesperson said: "Violence against women and girls has always been a societal issue which we have only really started to meaningfully tackle. To create a society where women and girls are safe, we need to recognise that this is not just a ‘women’s issue’ but a whole society issue that must be addressed by us all working together to stop attitudes, myths, and behaviours which enables this violence to fester and happen.
"The societal change needed to end violence against women and girls needs to start with us as individuals, calling out unacceptable behaviour by perpetrators in all walks of life."
Eva Martin added that the epidemic of violence against women is linked with Northern Ireland's history, which must be addressed. She said: "We live in a society that continues to be scarred by our past. We live in a society where there has been a real normalisation of violence, and a lot of trauma.
"When you live in a society like that, it breeds all forms of violence, it allows all forms of oppressive and domineering ideas to flourish. I would say the fact paramilitaries continue to play an outsized role in our society to control and coerce communities is absolutely a factor in violence against women.
"There is an abundance of research to show how women who are victims of violence or interpersonal violence, who live in communities that are also under paramilitary control, it almost trebles the amount of barries in place for them to speak out and try to get help.
"For example, if your abuser is also someone who is in a paramilitary, you are not only having to face that individual, but they have the backing of a whole of a whole organisation."
'We have to fight back'
As for what people can actively do, Eva said more people need to take to the streets and attend rallies to shout about the issue. Additionally, she said we can call for concrete changes that can help change societal views.
She said: "Getting active on these issues, fighting back against them is the antithesis to despair, because I do think people really struggle with feelings of overwhelm, despair and feeling as if there's no way in which we can tackle such a deep rooted issue.
"We can fight for concrete wins, for example, the expansion of funding for services for victims and survivors, an expansion of relationship and sex education so it's actually LGBTQ+ inclusive, and actually teaches children about consent.
"We need to build as active and as broad a movement as possible, that is made up of working class people from all backgrounds, of all genders, all ethnicities, and races. We have to fight to actually get our rights, to save people's lives, because that's the only way in which we've ever gained anything in the past."
Women's Aid say Northern Ireland is currently at a "pivotal point" in relation to violence against women, with many "horrified, heartbroken and outraged at the murder of so many women in our community in a matter of weeks."
They say that we can fight back against this issue by recognising abusive behaviours, while helping survivors, and tackling societal issues. A spokesperon added: "We need fundamental culture change in every part of our society to eradicate violence against women and girls, as we need you as an individual to take these next steps with us to make it happen."
How are the PSNI and Executive addressing violence against women?
Two years ago, the PSNI launched an action plan to address violence against women and girls. In September, police updated this action plan, which they said will see violence against women and girls given the same priority as dealing with terrorism.
In September, the Executive also introduced the first Ending Violence Against Women & Girls Strategy for Northern Ireland, with the issue being a priority in the programme for government. The strategy will see a £3 million investment in a range of voluntary and community sector projects.
Women's Aid say they welcome these commitments, with a spokesperson adding: "Both these plans bring the issue directly to the public which hopefully supports the public to recognise the seriousness of the issue which will support the campaign call to end the culture that allows violence against women and girls to take place in the first place.
"These plans are just a beginning and would like to see a continuing prioritisation of this commitment to tackling violence against women and girls through policy and resourcing as we try to create a Northern Ireland where women and girls feel safe, and are safe, in our communities."
Eva Martin said there is no one policy or action plan that will resolve the issue, and said we need to continue to hold those in power to account.
She added: "It's not going to be the case that through some policy or legislation everything will be magically transformed, but it has to be an active struggle.
"It also means holding the political establishment to account, like when they say they take the issue of gender based violence seriously and say they want to eradicate it - they have to put their money where their mouth is. They can't say that, then a week later cut funding, which is exactly what happened earlier this year."
If you are looking for help and support on any of these issues, please contact the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline.
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