Strategic framework launched to end ‘plague’ of VAWG in Northern Ireland

The strategy also includes its first delivery plan, which will see a £3 million investment in a range of voluntary and community sector projects.

Speaking at the launch on Monday (September 16) First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “VAWG must stop.

“That has been highlighted even more so in recent weeks with the deaths of four more women in horrific circumstances. To their families, I extend our deepest condolences and reiterate our commitment to working together to ending this violence, harm and abuse.

“Today we bring forward a strategic framework and first delivery plan. This framework intends to bring together a whole of society and whole of government response to address this issue which impacts the lives of far too many women and girls across our society.

“It was written based on the voices and views of those with lived experience and the expertise of those with many years of experience in this area. Their knowledge and experience has been crucial in helping us develop this strategy and we want to thank them for their commitment and support.”

She added: “The delivery plan will support those organisations working to prevent and challenge the attitudes, behaviours and culture that can lead to violence against women and girls. It will deliver real change for those who suffer harm and abuse across our society every day.

“There is something everyone can do and we must all work together to take this strategy forward and bring about the changes needed to ensure that we create a better society where women and girls can feel safe and be safe everywhere.”

The Northern Ireland Executive said the strategic framework will “address the whole range of gender-based violence, abuse and harm which is disproportionately experienced by women and girls, and which is rooted in gender inequality”.

“VAWG is a very serious challenge in our society. It is a problem that is hidden in plain sight and every day we see how it is affecting the lives of women and girls, wherever they learn, live, and work,” it added.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland welcomed the launch of the strategic framework which will “provide the necessary tools and resources in the fight against VAWG”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said: “In September 2022, we launched the first Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Action Plan for policing in Northern Ireland and have made significant progress, already completing 33 of the 41 actions within in the first two years.

“In this document, we made it clear that to really put an end to harassment, intimidation and violence against women and girls, it would need a commitment from all in our society.

“We have played our part in the co-design process and have welcomed the partnership approach to development that has been taken in the development of the Executive Office’s strategy.”

She added: “This is a framework for all partners and the wider public, it is the beginning of a roadmap for us all to play our part and make a real change to our local communities so that all spaces are safer for women and girls.

“VAWG remains a plague on our society and a problem that we cannot simply arrest our way out of. In the last month, three women in Northern Ireland lost their lives to VAWG, change is needed now.

“This is a welcome and long awaited development for Northern Ireland and one that we hope will provide the necessary tools and resources for us all to work together in the fight against VAWG.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly said: “Enough is enough. VAWG is a cancer on society and must end. We need to act now. When we took up office we said ending violence against women and girls was a priority and today’s launch reflects our commitment to tackling this important issue.

“The main focus of this strategy is on prevention. We recognise that tackling the underlying causes of violence, abuse and harm towards women and girls and stopping it before it starts is vital.

“We also want to support delivery of high-quality services that address the needs of women and girls who are victims and survivors and help prevent further violence from taking place.

“The strategy and delivery plan build on the good work already being done and sets out a coordinated approach to tackle what is an extremely complex problem. It is vital we all continue to work together to build the transformative change we need so that women and girls can live free from violence.

“That work starts today.”