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Sinn Féin MLAs show their support for 'International Day for the Eradication of Violence against Women' at Stormont

Published: 25 November, 2008

Sinn Féin MLAs show their support for 'International Day for the Eradication of Violence against Women' at Stormont

Sinn Féin MLAs today (Tuesday 25th) gathered on the steps of Stormont to mark International Day for the Eradication of Violence against Women. Speaking from the steps of Stormont, Newry and Armagh MLA, Mickey Brady said,

"International day for the eradication of violence against women is to highlight the ongoing and high levels of violence against women internationally and abroad. On average one in three women will experience violence against them at some point in their lifetime. This is a staggering figure.

"At home, violence against women and young girls has been highlighted recently in the media with a rise in the amount of sexual assaults against women. Every week we are hearing reports in the media of rape and serious assaults. There are many more attacks that go unreported and these figures of course do not mark assault of a non sexual nature against women such as domestic violence.

"Perpetrators of the crime of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence are very rarely brought to justice and even when they are in front of the courts they are allowed to put their victims through further trauma by making them relive the whole nightmare again in open court.

"If they are sentenced the length of the sentence rarely reflects the seriousness of their crime. The impact and effects these crimes are far-reaching and may include loss of self-esteem and self-worth, onset or exacerbation of mental health problems, nightmares, panic attacks and anxiety, flashbacks and disengagement from family, social and community life.

"There is an onus on the PSNI and the criminal justice system has to make women and young girls feel safe and confident about coming forward to report these crimes. Survivors need to know that they will have access to justice and that the perpetrators will serve sentences that will reflect the devastating effects that their crimes have on their victims.

"As community and political representatives we need to ensure that the policies and strategies of government departments are enforced with vigour and translated into action on the ground to combat the crime of rape, sexual violence and domestic violence and that adequate resources are given to provide services for survivors.

"Organisations like Women's Aid in Newry should be given the funding and resources it needs to provide the excellent frontline services it delivers to the many victims and survivors who use it.

"We all need to work together on this issue to send a clear message out that violent crimes of whatever nature against women will no longer be tolerated. Women need to feel safe in their everyday lives." ENDS