Since 2020, 25 women have been murdered in Northern Ireland and six men. These are the grave statistics recently heard at the South Eastern Trust’s seminar ‘Open Conversations: Breaking the silence, Building a stronger response to sexual health, violence and abuse.’
The event, held at Lisburn’s Civic Centre, was organised to discuss and engage the impacts on women, men and children who experience domestic and sexual abuse, both in their families and their own personal relationships.
The delegates heard from a panel of professionals including representatives from Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, the Executive Office, Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department of Health (DoH). Exhibitions ranged from Officers from Lisburn and Castlereagh’s PSNI’s promoting the ‘Power to Change’ initiative, Nexus, ASSIST NI, NSPCC, INEQE Safeguarding Group and South Eastern Trust’s Fostering team were also in attendance.
Keynote speaker Jim Gamble, CEO, INEQE Safeguarding Group, who gave an ‘incredibly impactful presentation’ said, “This is the type of conference you want to be at, with the delegates you want to be able to reach. I want to thank the Trust for providing me with the opportunity to come and share my experience, perhaps challenging, but challenge is a good thing.”
Jim continued, “Domestic and Sexual violence can happen to men and women, we need to keep a tight focus on the fact that the vast majority are women leaving children and young people extremely vulnerable and there are many, many people in same sex relationships who suffer and it can happen to anyone.”
South Eastern Trust Assistant Director Jason Caldwell, Safeguarding and Family Support shared how one of the messages he took away from the seminar was, ‘How do you measure the impact of your strategies?’ I think this seminar has left us with a challenge, not only within the South Eastern Trust but in Northern Ireland – how do we measure that what we are doing is making a difference?
“In the 12 months to the end of March 2024, the PSNI responded to 32,763 incidents of domestic abuse. In 2022/23 the eight Women’s Aid organisations worked with 6,148 children and young people where their mother had experienced domestic abuse.”
Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid’s Helen Russell explained how the organisation has been working with women who are the victims of domestic and sexual violence for the past 50 years.
“Domestic and sexual violence is a very complicated, nuanced issue with many facets to it. In order to deal with it, you need to understand it. Having an event such as this, it’s important for us to get exposure to the professionals and decision makers so that we can all work collaboratively to address this issue.”
Helen added how she felt that there was “real motivation in the room.” “People are seriously motivated to start looking at this issue, this is a real pressing issue in Northern Ireland.”
South Eastern Trust’s Health Development Specialist, Sexual Health and Disability Gabrielle O’Neill shared how much she welcomed bringing the speakers and delegates together.
“Sexual Health, violence and abuse are difficult topics that often go unspoken due to fear, shame or societal barriers. United we can all build a stronger response to sexual violence and work together to support, protect and empower society through open, honest and courageous conversations. We really need to put all our energies into this because, after all, it is everybody’s business.”
Anyone experiencing Domestic Abuse can call the 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline on 0808 802 1414.
