The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has released its very first action plan to reduce violence against women and girls.
It requires the police to “relentlessly pursue culprits” and root out improper behavior within their ranks.
In Northern Ireland, 34 women and girls were murdered by men between 2017 and 2021.
The Women’s Aid Federation of Northern Ireland applauded the idea but stated that Stormont must also take action.
Women’s Aid’s Sarah Mason stated, “Today is a momentous day for all women and girls in Northern Ireland, putting Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the United Kingdom.”
Jenny Hunter, a survivor of domestic violence from County Down, stated that the night she separated from her husband in August 2017 was the first time he physically assaulted her.
She claimed that he had previously hurled beer at her, broken vases, and kicked and punched holes into walls.
Ms. Hunter reported that there had been the tension that day and that she had texted him earlier to avoid causing trouble.
She claimed, “He had returned home that evening after having a few beers out.”
“He went to check out my phone, returned to the bedroom, and said, ‘That’s trust for you because I had changed the password and he was unable to access it.”
Ms. Hunter recalled her children “squealing” when her husband forced her into their bedroom.
“He was sitting on my chest and had his hands around my throat while he informed me that he was going to kill me, that I had driven him to this, and that it was my fault. He asked me if I was ready to die and said that it was my fault.”
Ms. Hunter expressed horror and the belief that she was about to be murdered.
“All I could think about was the fact that the children would be in the house while this occurred and what would happen to them.”
Jenny reported that her neighbors called the police, and she and her ex-partner have been separated since that night.
The PSNI stated that Jenny’s perpetrator was sentenced to 18 months of probation on March 22, 2018.
According to the report, he subsequently abused his subsequent partner and was sentenced to 10 months in prison on March 11, 2020, for his actions against her.
According to the PSNI, women, and girls are “disproportionately affected” by violence, abuse, and intimidation, making up 78% of all victims of sexual crimes and 68% of all victims of domestic violence.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne termed the plan’s publication a “watershed moment.”
The 40-page strategy, according to him, makes tackling the issue a “high priority.”
Improve our own culture
Over the next two years, the progress of the PSNI’s strategic plan will be monitored by an advisory group.
The murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan Police officer in London last year pushed this topic to the forefront in the United Kingdom.
It also harmed women and girls’ faith and confidence in law enforcement.
Mr. Byrne stated that part of the plan included “improving our own culture,” recognizing that officer conduct has “sometimes fallen short of public expectations.”
The PSNI has suspended 26 officers following claims of sexual misconduct.
Under the new approach, screening procedures will be evaluated.
All frontline officers will also undergo specialized training in dealing with domestic violence situations, which occur every 16 minutes in Northern Ireland.
Other measures include enhancing the quality of investigative files for prosecutors and prioritizing the arrest of individuals wanted for violence against women and girls-related crimes.
In addition, a new media campaign will be launched to raise awareness of drink adulteration.
Mr. Byrne said: “To effectively address such complex societal problems, everyone must advocate for the necessary change.
“Policing alone cannot end violence against women and girls.
“For this to be truly effective and truly transformative for all women and girls, we must collaborate with all sectors of society,” he continued.
