The report ‘Making the Grade? 2007: Northern Ireland’ looks at the actions being taken by the NI Government Departments in addressing violence against women.
Key elements in the Government’s response in tackling domestic and sexual violence are:-
- The inter-agency Domestic Violence Strategy – ‘Tackling Violence at Home’.
- Prevention initiatives such as a media campaign highlighting the issue of domestic violence.
- The establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
- A total of 16 refuges in Northern Ireland (largely funded by DSD).
- The development of a cross Government Sexual Violence Strategy – ‘Hidden Crimes, Secret Pain’.
- The development of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre to support the victims of sexual violence.
Highlighting some of the ongoing work in tackling domestic and sexual violence across Government, Mr McGimpsey said, “As lead Minister for tackling domestic violence and sexual violence in Northern Ireland I welcome every opportunity to highlight these issues and have them discussed openly.
“I have raised domestic and sexual violence issues with my Executive colleagues and have secured their agreement to formation an Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic and Sexual Violence, so that local Ministers can drive this important agenda forward and get things done. Much work is however already underway.”
The Minister continued, “Shortly after taking up my Ministerial post in May, I stated on the floor of the Assembly, my commitment to the full and effective implementation of our domestic violence strategy “Tackling Violence at Home.” I have since launched the Strategy’s Second Annual Action Plan that addresses a number of issues including guidance for those who are in contact with victims of domestic violence, a multi-agency domestic violence training strategy and ongoing media campaigns.”
The Minister continued, “One key aspect of ending violence against women is changing people’s mindsets and attitudes on the issue by encouraging victims to come forward and make it clear to perpetrators that they will be found out. We have therefore been working with our partners, on media campaigns which spell out that violence in the home is wrong. We are also working with our colleagues in Education to ensure that children learn about healthy relationships within the home.
“The PSNI also have dedicated domestic violence officers who can offer advice and support to victims or people who fear that they may become victims.”
Turning to sexual violence, Mr McGimpsey added, “My Department, along with the Northern Ireland Office, will soon be launching a strategy to tackle the issue of sexual violence in Northern Ireland. I was also able to announce recently that we are to set up a new £2million Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). This investment is a key element in the effort to raise the standards of care for victims of sexual violence in Northern Ireland.
The ‘Making the Grade? 2007: Northern Ireland’ Report, undertaken by Amnesty International’s End Violence Against Women Working Group looked at the actions being taken by the NI Government Departments in addressing violence against women.
Although well meaning, the report will not have taken into account differences between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. For example, equality legislation in Northern Ireland encourages the issues of domestic and sexual violence to be taken forward in a gender-neutral manner. This does not suit the report’s methodology and gives Northern Ireland an unrepresentatively low score.
Commenting on the report the Minister said, “I would assure Amnesty International that the Government in Northern Ireland is absolutely committed to tackling domestic and sexual violence against women. Although women are obviously a key target in the Government’s strategy in tackling these horrendous crimes, I would stress that my commitment extends to all victims of domestic violence, including men and children.”
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