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The growing concern in relation to gender based violence was highlighted at this week's monthly meeting of Newry Mourne and Down Council where a motion was passed urging increased protection for women affected.
The Council acknowledging what Slieve Gullion Councillor Áine Quinn described as the ‘epidemic of gender based violence against women’ agreed to support Councillor Quinn’s motion which will see the Council writing to the Justice Minister and the Justice Department, urging them to expand the categories of "significant persons" when applying for a Non-Molestation Order, to include individuals who were in a significant relationship but did not cohabit.
Action in regards to this request would see an alignment with the provisions in the Republic and Britain. The Council also agreed to contact other Councils throughout the north urging them to support the alignment request.
Cllr Quinn addressing full Council said “Many women across Ireland no longer feel safe, even within their own homes. It seems almost every day we are confronted with another tragedy – a woman killed, another life stolen by domestic and gender-based violence.
"As a society we need to put our shoulders to the wheel and stamp out violence against women and girls. This must include challenging everyday misogyny and promoting healthy and respectful relationships.
"The Executive’s recently launched plan to tackle violence against women and girls is a welcome step. It aims to provide better services for women and girls who have experienced abuse, and also support local organisations to deliver training and awareness-building for ending violence against women and girls”.
Councillor Quinn said people in the North face unique challenges compared to neighbouring jurisdictions.
"Our current legislation, The Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order 1998, fails to account for those in abusive relationships who have never lived with their abuser.
"Abuse is not confined to physical violence; it includes emotional, psychological, and financial abuse. Yet, many vulnerable women are left unprotected because they do not meet the criteria under this law”.
The Slieve Gullion Councillor explained the challenges faced, “For these people, their only legal recourse is often a civil injunction, which can be very expensive if they are not eligible for legal aid,and which does not have a relief scheme like that that of the Financial Assessment DV Scheme available in circumstances when obtaining a Non-Molestation Order.
"An injunction also can take considerable time and therefore can have no real sense of urgency. This creates an unacceptable barrier to justice and safety”.
The Councillor said that inequalities in legal gaps were letting victims down. “Violence against women knows no borders—it transcends counties, communities, and backgrounds. Yet, the reality is grim: since 2020, 58 women have been murdered on this island.
"It is an unacceptable reality that people are being let down in the North by inequalities in legal protections. Gaps in the law, such as this fail to safeguard those in non-cohabiting abusive relationships.
"The inconsistency of two separate legal institutions across the island of Ireland further compounds the issue.
"Women’s access to protection should not depend on where they live, yet differing legal frameworks mean that some are left with fewer safeguards than others.
"Every person deserves the same protections, regardless of where they lives or their personal circumstances. It is imperative that we attempt to address these disparities and work together so that no one is left behind”.
"Councillor Quinn pointed out that males were victims of domestic violence also.
She said: “I am very conscious to the fact that there are males who too are victim to domestic violence, and we should not shy away from those conversations and have them openly in order to remove the stigma. But this change in expanding the legalisation enhances protections for all, regardless of gender”.
She concluded by stating: "It is important that we highlight the recent staggering statistics of late of gender-based violence and the extremely heightened fear many are experiencing. Every life lost is one too many.
"We must create an island that is safe for all. Every person deserves the right to live free from fear, to thrive in safety, and to be supported by systems that work in their favour and helps protect them”
The Motion from Councillor Quinn
"This Council notes the growing concern regarding the epidemic of gender-based violence against women. This concern has been heightened by recent sexual assaults in Derry and the tragic deaths of five women in the past seven weeks in the North.
In response to this, this Council writes to the Justice Minister and the Justice Department, urging them to expand the categories of "significant persons" when applying for a Non-Molestation Order, to include individuals who were in a significant relationship but did not cohabit. This would align with the provisions in the UK, where similar protections are offered, and with the "Safety Order" provisions in the Republic of Ireland.
Additionally, this Council calls on other councils in the North to support this motion, thereby advocating for the extension of similar protections to women in the North, ensuring they are afforded the same legal safeguards as those in the UK and the Republic of Ireland".
