Sign in Subscribe
Violence

The Far-Right's Tactic of Weaponizing Gender-Based Violence in Northern Ireland

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Protests in Northern Ireland's towns and cities turned violent as rioters attacked homes and shops, targeting families from diverse backgrounds. The situation has been compared to the 2019 Southport riot, sparked by a false social media claim of an asylum seeker's involvement in a heinous crime. The far-right's tactic of weaponizing gender-based violence to further their racist and divisive agendas has been evident, as evidenced by the recent protests in Northern Ireland and their spread to other parts of the UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • 98% of women in Northern Ireland have experienced at least one form of violence or abuse in their lifetime, according to research by Ulster University, making it one of the most dangerous places in Europe for women.
  • The protests in Northern Ireland were not about protecting women and girls from violence but were instead a manifestation of the far-right's racist and divisive ideology.
  • The alleged crime of a 14-year-old boy's sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl was used as a cover for the far-right's attacks on migrant communities and families from diverse backgrounds.
  • Over three nights, rioting moved from Ballymena to Coleraine, Larne, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and Belfast, with homes and shops attacked, and cars burnt out.
  • More than 40 officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland were injured as they responded with water cannons and batons, calling for reinforcements from other forces.
  • The scenes have been reminiscent of the 2019 Southport riot, sparked by a false social media claim of an asylum seeker's involvement in a heinous crime.
  • According to the 2021 Northern Ireland census, 3.5% of the population belongs to an ethnic minority group, far lower than that in England and Wales (18.3%) and Scotland (12.9%).
  • Research by the End Violence Against Women Coalition and anti-extremism organisation Hope Not Hate found that in the first three months of 2023, anti-migrant demonstrations in at least seven places were sparked by allegations of a gender-based crime by an asylum seeker.
  • The Home Office's plan to more easily deport foreign nationals who commit crimes on UK soil is a positive step, but it must not be used as a pretext for the far-right to exploit women's fears and further their own ideology.

Statistics:

  • 98% of women in Northern Ireland have experienced at least one form of violence or abuse in their lifetime (Ulster University)
  • 3.5% of the population in Northern Ireland belongs to an ethnic minority group (2021 Northern Ireland census)
  • 18.3% of the population in England and Wales belongs to an ethnic minority group (2021 census)
  • 12.9% of the population in Scotland belongs to an ethnic minority group (2021 census)
  • 589 babies were born to mothers from outside the UK or Ireland in Northern Ireland in 2000, rising to 2,402 by 2022 (Northern Ireland census)

Sources:

  • Ulster University research on violence against women in Northern Ireland
  • Northern Ireland census (2021)
  • End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hope Not Hate research on anti-migrant demonstrations (2023)
  • Alison Phillips' article in The i newspaper (no date, original text)

Read more