theguardian.com
Northern Ireland's Femicide Crisis and the Call for a Domestic Abuse Commissioner
Northern Ireland's high femicide rate prompts calls for a domestic abuse commissioner amid concerns over political division and social media's influence.
English
United Kingdom
Human Rights ViolationsUkGender IssuesLegislationSocial IssuesViolence Against WomenAdvocacyPolitical Issues
Women's Aid Northern IrelandPolice Service Of Northern IrelandStormont AssemblyAlliance PartyLabour Party
Sonya McmullenMichelle O’neilSorcha EastwoodAndrew TateMary Ward
- What is the current situation regarding femicide in Northern Ireland?
- Northern Ireland has one of the highest femicide rates in Europe, with 41 confirmed cases since 2017. This is attributed to various factors, including a history of political division and a lack of specialized legislation to address gender-based violence.
- What are the differing viewpoints on the timeline for addressing these issues?
- While the current first minister and deputy first minister are committed to a new strategy, Women's Aid advocates for immediate action through a dedicated commissioner, arguing that waiting for fully funded systems will cost more lives.
- What is the main proposal of Women's Aid Northern Ireland to address the issue?
- The Women's Aid Northern Ireland is advocating for a domestic abuse commissioner to oversee and improve the response to domestic violence. They believe this is crucial given the high rate of femicide and the shortcomings of current systems.
- What is the concern regarding the influence of social media on attitudes towards women?
- MP Sorcha Eastwood highlights the concerning influence of social media, particularly its normalization of "throwaway misogyny," which contributes to a lack of respect for women. She emphasizes the need for intervention and addressing this online issue.
- What factors have hindered effective policies to tackle gender-based violence in Northern Ireland?
- The lack of legislative time and deep-seated conservatism have hindered the implementation of effective policies to tackle gender-based violence in Northern Ireland. This has resulted in delays in adopting laws on domestic abuse, stalking, and coercive control.