Following a spate of serious attacks against women in Derry over recent weeks a new action plan has been backed after a special meeting of the city’s council ahead of a rally tonight.
During the meeting on Friday, Foyle Women’s Aid highlighted that a lack of funding and a move to regionalised services has been damaging to the women’s sector in the city.
The meeting heard that First Minister Michelle O’Neill was to attend the Rally for Women’s Safety at Guildhall Square this evening but due to a family emergency had to cancel.
She did however directly message Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, Lilian Seenoi Barr, to convey her “full support” to the women of Derry.
Ms O’Neill gave a commitment from the Stormont Executive “to do everything they can to achieve the vision of a changed society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender-based violence, abuse and harm”.
Foyle Women’s Information Network – Catherine Cooke and Cassie Jane Butley – delivered a presentation on behalf of various groups representing women.
Statistics at the meeting that 98% of women in NI have experienced “at least one form of violence or abuse in their lifetime”.
Of those surveyed, 50% experienced that violence or abuse before the age of 11.
Among some of the anecdotes shown during the presentation, one woman said: “This is such a scary time for our women. When are we safe if this happens in broad daylight?”
Another added: “I’m dreading walking my dog. It’s only a 15-20 minute walk, but even during the day I’m scared.”
They spoke of ten practical measures that can be taken now, which included improved lighting and CCTV, as well as an enhanced police presence and accountability.
Marie Brown of Foyle Women’s Aid & Foyle Family Justice Centre said they would like to see “cross-party political action to ensure that there is proper funding ring-fenced for the agencies working daily in direct domestic abuse services”.
Women’s Aid, she explained, has been cut by about 45%, yet do double the work with waiting lists of up to 80 women a week.
“Women and girls have lost out, when things get tough, they’re the first to be dropped. We’re not valuing them,” she added.
Sinn Fein councillor Patricia Logue spoke about the recent attacks, saying she lives a few doors away from one of the victims.
“All the women in this council and district should be able to go out walking in any area and be assured that we don’t have that fear, because that fear of violence can sometimes take over and stop you doing things that you would normally do,” she said.
Ms Brown said regionalising services has meant that “our city has lost autonomy” and “lost out as a result” when it comes to dealing with localised issues.
She believes reform of the justice system is needed as “courts aren’t working” and a lack of “joined up working” is leading to wasted resources.
At the meeting, Gillian Kearney, District Commander responsible for Derry City and Strabane, said investigations into the most recent attacks over the weekend, when the perpetrator was armed with a knife, are “progressing”.
She said those incidents are not linked to those the weekend prior.
Ms Kearney said there is “no spike” in reports but police are “really concerned” about the incidents at the weekend “because they are so unusual in their nature”.
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News Catch Up – Friday 8th November