McNulty - Level of violence against women and girls at crisis level

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has said that determined political unity is required to address the emergency of men’s violence against women.  Mr. McNulty made the remarks after a number of engagements regarding violence against women and girls, including a debate at Stormont on the introduction of a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, and a massive 40th Anniversary conference organised by Women’s Aid Armagh Down at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.

The SDLP representative said: “First and foremost, I need to reiterate my congratulations to Women’s Aid for their impactful and thought-provoking conference, the theme of which was: Be the Change.   Change has been the theme of the week, and it is absolutely what is required, both at a governmental and grass-roots level.

“The levels of violence against women and girls in the North are at crisis levels.  One woman is being killed every three months, and the North is joint first as the most dangerous place in Europe to be a woman.  This crisis is compounded by the scandalous fact that we are one of the only places in Europe without a government strategy to address violence against women and girls by men.

“In the Assembly this week, I spoke of the heartbreaking stories of Natalie McNally, Aisling Murphy, and the thousands of other women who experience violence at the hands of men.  We absolutely require government leadership on this issue.  We need to see determined political unity in bringing about a cross-departmental response to this crisis.

“Equally, we need to see a wholesale shift in culture with respect to attitudes towards women, stamping out misogyny, and encouraging men to challenge toxic attitudes and behaviours when they encounter them. Otherwise, we are giving rise to the atmosphere where men’s violence and abuse against women can take place. 

“With that in mind, I was disheartened that I was * the only male elected representative in attendance at the Women’s Aid Armagh Down Conference this week. The first step in addressing a problem is admitting that we have one. Only then can we begin to find solutions.”

* CORRECTION 12/3/24 Mr McNulty was NOT the only male elected representative in attendance - Sinn Fein Councillor Declan Murphy was in attendance at the event.