During the visit he met with residents and staff to see at first hand the help and support offered by Women’s Aid to women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Mr McGimpsey praised the commitment of the staff to the welfare of women and children. He said: “Ensuring that victims have a safe place to go when they are affected by domestic violence is crucial. Domestic Violence is an epidemic that needs to be tackled now and needs to be tackled effectively. In working together to implement the Government’s domestic violence strategy, we must make it clear that domestic violence is totally and absolutely unacceptable and ensure that appropriate resources are in place to provide support for victims.”
Patricia Lyness, the Management Co-ordinator of Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid said, “On behalf of all our staff and volunteers, and of the women and children we work with, we are happy that the Minister has taken the time out of his schedule to visit the refuge. Following the Assembly debate on this issue, his visit further demonstrates his commitment to tackling domestic violence."
Patricia concluded, “Talking to the women at the refuge, helps the Minister understand the impact of domestic violence on the physical and emotional health and well-being of women and children.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- In Northern Ireland, the focus of Government response to violence against women lies in the inter-agency Domestic Violence Strategy “Tackling Violence at Home – A Strategy for Addressing Domestic Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland.” The strategy was a joint publication from the Northern Ireland Office and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in October 2005.
- The strategy defines what domestic violence and abuse are and identifies what is required to tackle them effectively in Northern Ireland and sets out the overall strategic approach to be adopted in order to achieve these aims. The annual action plans translate the strategy’s principles and aims into practice by setting out the key actions to be achieved within a defined timescale.
- Every year in Northern Ireland domestic violence results in around 5 deaths, over 6,000 assaults and 700 families having to be re-housed. It is also estimated that at least 11,000 children are living with domestic violence here. Domestic violence occurs right across society. The problem knows no boundaries as regards age, gender, race, ethnic or religious group, sexual orientation, wealth, disability or geography. The majority of victims are women but a significant number of men are affected too and abuse also occurs in same-sex relationships.
- Media Queries to Jenny Magill at the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 90 520575.
