Violent crimes on the rise; is our county safe for women?

We spoke with Women's Aid who highlighted the growing problem of domestic abuse in Armagh

The issue of women’s safety seems to be becoming an increasingly serious and concerning problem across County Armagh. The violence and brutality suffered at the hands of attackers has left many women feeling unsafe in their own communities, and indeed their own homes, with the situation further highlighting deeper issues around gender inequality and violence against women.

On Wednesday Armagh I reported on an abusive and coercive controlling, manipulative bully who strangled, suffocated, punched and kicked his partner. He was handed a 62 month sentence.

We spoke to Women’s Aid who told us that referral figures have increased “103% on pre-pandemic levels with the 11 bed refuge at full capacity with a waiting list of 22 woman seeking accommodation”.

L-R: Natalie McNally, Alesia Nazarova and Laura Marshall

Commenting, a spokesperson said: “The PSNI figures for the calendar year of 2022 for the ABC area show that the PSNI has responded to 3,608 incidents of domestic abuse which lead to 2,255 crimes and while that is a significant number we know that it’s only the tip of the iceberg as so many victims of domestic abuse still do not report the abuse”.

“This level of incidents response is the second highest in Northern Ireland after Belfast”.

“The issues reported is still a broad brush; everything from stalking and harassment, coercive control, violence, threats to kill, strangulation, financial abuse, physiological abuse, all of them categories of domestic abuse - more woman are talking to us about strangulation being a feature of their domestic abuse”.

Listen to the full feature here and for details on Woman’s Aid

The recent murders of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally - who was pregnant at the time of the killing - and Portadown woman Alesia Nazarova shocked the local community and have highlighted the need for greater attention to be paid to the safety of women. Both murders occurred in their homes, where they should have felt most safe.

Alesia Nazarova, a 37-year-old mother-of-one, died after a fire at the property on Church Street in Portadown with her 25-year-old brother Kornelijus Bracas charged with her murder and further charged with the attempted murder of his 12-year-old niece.

Is one of the primary issues surrounding these attacks the lack of resources and support for victims of domestic violence? Many women who are experiencing abuse or violence in their homes feel unable to speak out or seek help due to the stigma and shame associated with these issues.

There is also the broader problem of gender inequality, with many women continuing to face discrimination, harassment, and violence simply because of their gender.

Of course, sexual harassment and violence is not limited to the home with increasing numbers of cases within the work place setting being reported. Such was the case of a Portadown shop worker sexually harassed at her company’s Christmas party in Starplan’s Portadown showroom on December 16, 2017.

So, is a coordinated and comprehensive multi-agency approach needed, one which includes a focus on education and awareness around domestic violence and gender-based violence? Surely there must also be greater resource and support for victims of domestic violence and the implementation of more robust policies and procedures to prevent these tragic crimes from taking place?

The fact that abuse of this nature happens ‘in secret’, largely behind closed doors makes it a difficult problem to tackle. However, by working together, opening channels of discussion and providing safe spaces for women, we can create safer communities for all and tackle the root causes of gender inequality and violence against women.

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HELP: If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or sexual violence and you need help contact in confidence Woman’s Aid Armagh & Down , Nexus NI and Crimestoppers.

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Related: Victim of domestic violence bravely speaks out as abuser is found guilty

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Natalie McNally and Laura Marshall murders prompt motion demanding greater protection for women

A Co Armagh charity organisation that has helped support a little girl rescued from a house fire in Portadown, which claimed the life of her mother, has raised over £2,000 in aid of her family.

Motion seeking a borough ‘safe, fair and equal for all women’ wins unanimous support

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Giveaways

Congratulations to Elma McAvoy, you are the winner of a pair of cinema tickets with Omniplex cinemas. Please contact our office on 028 37 443 043 to arrange collection of your tickets.

Please note that we are unable to post tickets and collection from our office is required.

Check out what’s on at Omniplex cinemas here

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Look back

30 years ago on Thursday February 4, 1993, The Armagh Observer reported on the promotion of mental health awareness after the appointment of new Mental Health Promotion Officer, Ruth Sutherland.

Unit General Manager, Dr. Headley, stated that the appointment of a ‘specialised officer’ would create a ‘significant step forward in reaching a goal of conveying positive messages about mental illness’.

The report noted that mental illness represented the ‘largest single item of NHS expenditure’ and in the UK it accounted for ‘17% of total days lost due to sickness in the workplace’.

Dr. Headley left the very poignant message that, “Life is difficult” and continued, “Many challenges we face cannot be avoided, many other unexpected life events also come in our way". Finding support and ways to cope is vital for good health”.

Flatline... is the state of our NHS critical?