Motion on gender based violence rubber-stamped

Motion on gender based violence rubber-stamped

14 April 2021

TWO other motions in relation to gender based violence were rubber-stamped by Newry, Mourne and Down Council last week.

The first was tabled by Downpatrick councillor Oonagh Hanlon who commended Rowallane councillor Kathryn Owen for the bravery she displayed in recalling the abuse she suffered as a teenager.

Cllr Hanlon said one of the reasons she tabled her motion was because it is such a serious topic, agreeing that what happened to Sarah Everard and two ladies from the Rathcoole area — who were also murdered — highlights the need for a violence against women and girls strategy.

“It really is unacceptable that we do not have a strategy designed to tackle gender based violence,” she continued. 

“What is crucial is looking at education and what Kathryn said about teaching your daughters resonated with me. Equally, I educate my sons to treat women with respect and we need a zero tolerance approach to gender based violence.

“We need to give women and girls the confidence to report incidents of abuse and they must know that the criminal justice system will stand by them every step of the way.”

Also last week, a motion on the need for a new strategy was tabled by Cllr Karen McKevitt. All three motions were combined by councillors to send out a strong message that violence against women and girls is wrong and will not be tolerated.

In addition, councillors agreed to raise the issue with Stormont justice minister Naomi Long and the First and Deputy First Ministers, urging them to press ahead with the implementation of the new strategy as soon as possible and to ensure it does not become an issue which gets a few a headlines, but is progressed urgently.

There was also agreement for a proposal by Cllr McKevitt for Newry, Mourne and Down Council to consider developing a financial support for women’s groups across the district, declaring its commitment to make the area a safe place for everyone, acknowledging that women should feel in public places everywhere.