A man who admitted to leaving a Co Armagh woman with life-changing facial injuries was not prosecuted – as a Portadown councillor hit out at the justice system.
Justice for victims of domestic violence was at the centre of discussion at Monday night’s ABC Council meeting.
It followed a presentation by the Executive Office titled: ‘Ending Violence Against Women and Girls’.
However, when feedback was allowed from the floor, UUP Councillor Kate Evans – a victim of domestic abuse herself – was visibly upset by aspects of the presentation, in particular where funding will be allocated from the Executive.
She was one of a number of councillors who responded with fervour to the issue.
“I’m not really sure when I even want to start with this to be honest,” said a visibly upset, Councillor Evans.
“Not in the slightest bit do I agree with money being divided out across the community for people to go and see a play.
“As someone who has suffered domestic abuse, there is not a hope going to see a play is going to resolve the issue, or make anybody any wiser to what they should, or should not, be doing.
“We have a fantastic PCSP within this Council, who have been doing fantastic work with people who have suffered domestic abuse…I just do not see why we should be dividing a large pot of money, which could easily go to the PCSP, for them to carry on with the good work that they are doing.
“I’m struggling to understand how this has been with the government for so many years and I don’t see how we’ve come any further along. We are still seeing women and children being murdered and we’re sitting here talking about going to see a play.”
Claire Archbold, Director, Ending Violence Against Women & Girls, sympathised with Councillor Evans and apologised for her “poorly chosen” example.
However, she insisted they want “to have a wide a reach as possible” with their strategies. “We want to get right down into communities and into the preventative spaces,” she said.
She stressed the need for community outreach and it was added that the PCSP will be incorporated into funding initiatives, but also that there’s a wider remit.
Portadown DUP councillor, Lavelle McIllwrath, said it was all well and good talking about prevention and education, but he had concerns about the justice aspect, alluding to remarks in the report about confidence in the system.
“I’m not sure that confidence is there for women to actually follow through in reporting, and not only that, I’m not sure that some of the cases that women and girls bring are actually being brought forward to court in the way that they should.
“I say that because I had one case came across my desk recently where a young girl was left with life changing facial injuries, having been assaulted by a male person, who admitted assaulting her.
“Police passed the case to the PPS after statements and so on, and why this person wasn’t prosecuted, I will never know. That girl and her family, and other girls who witnessed that assault – but because of fear didn’t give statements – and that case didn’t go to court.”
Ms Archbold say the Executive Office was working very closely with the Justice Department.
She said: “For example, there’s a project that was carried out to give additional support to victims going through the criminal justice system and we are working with the Department of Justice to evaluate that, and to see if it’s possible to to roll that out, if it changes outcomes for people and if it makes the system easier for for victims to navigate. We’re part of a bigger picture but we’re very aware of the issues you have spoken about.”
UUP Councillor Julie Flaherty was at pains to support her colleague, Councillor Evans, “who very bravely did share part of her story there”.
“I’m going to go and check up on her, because it’s not easy for these ladies to come forward. I know that all too well. I know this myself, and a lot of women, men too, in this chamber probably know the same.
“I share some of the concerns about where this funding, will be rolled out. A lot of this information [presented] is known by Council – we’re not starting from scratch.”
She added: “I’m also really proud of the Lord Mayor [Councillor Sarah Duffy] for supporting Women’s Aid [as her chosen charity]. Women are funding women. Women are having to fund themselves for support. I know of one young woman, a young mother, and if it wasn’t for a Women’s Aid in this area, I do not know where she would be.
“The real irritation I have about this is the justice. There is absolutely no justice, absolutely none. Whether it’s for the victims, for the children of those victims, or for the family supporting those victims.
“When a woman does actually speak out and does actually find the strength – and it is a strength that you will never know that these women have – and they take their perpetrator to court, and they’re fined £50 – fifty pounds!
“We fine people more for dropping a piece of litter in this Council. Therein lies one of the biggest problems we have here….there is no consequence for perpetrators, none whatsoever.
“And there’s none for when the women actually get the support of Women’s Aid, for example. Thank you again, Lord Mayor, for your support, and I hope you raise an immense amount of money for the work they do, even in our own town in Portadown; that office is just immense with these families and children.
“When they get that far, it ain’t over for these these women, it is not by any stretch over for these women. They might not get a slap around the face, but they’re getting it in every other way possible, through our courts, and that’s where we need to be tackling, so let’s see where this money is filtered down.”
Sinn Féin councillor, Catherine Nelson, also stressed that criticism of the justice system should not act as a barricade to women who are currently suffering.
She encouraged women, currently experience domestic abuse, to come forward, and that there is a purpose, and staff who can help remove you from this abuse. They are people there to help secure and to support you financially with housing, and with counselling services.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Duffy concluded the discussion by citing a most recent statistic.
“Northern Ireland is the second most dangerous place in Europe, and as woman and mother of girls, that is absolutely horrifying to say the least.”
