Epidemic of Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland Continues to Worsen

Strategic Insights -

Violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland is worsening, with the Assembly told that the death of a 27-year-old mother-of-two is the 27th adult woman to be killed in the region since 2020. SDLP MLA Cara Hunter described the death as an "unspeakable act of violence" that has left two children without their mother and shattered a family forever. Hunter said that this is not an isolated incident, but part of a worsening epidemic of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland, where many women live in fear of violence in their homes, on the streets, and in their relationships.

Key Takeaways:

  • The death of Sarah Montgomery is the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020, with the majority of these women killed in their own homes.
  • The Assembly has been told that violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland is worsening, with many women living in fear of violence in their homes, on the streets, and in their relationships.
  • SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said that the death of Sarah Montgomery was an "unspeakable act of violence" that has left two children without their mother and shattered a family forever.
  • DUP MLA Stephen Dunne described the death of Ms Montgomery as "devastating" and said that a home should be a place of refuge and safety, but sadly that is not always the case.
  • Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan described the death of Ms Montgomery as an "absolutely tragic loss" and said that the people in Donaghadee are shocked and alarmed by the events.

Statistics:

  • 27 adult women have been killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
  • The majority of these women (24 out of 27) were killed in their own homes.
  • 4 out of 27 women under the age of 18 have been killed in their own homes.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • BBC News
  • The Irish Times
  • The Belfast Telegraph
  • PA Media
  • SDLP MLA Cara Hunter
  • DUP MLA Stephen Dunne
  • Alliance Party MLA Connie Egan
  • Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips