September 2024 saw the publication of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework (The Executive Office) and the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024-31 (Department of Justice and Department of Health). In addition, within the Draft Programme for Government 2024-27 published by the Stormont Executive, one of the nine key priorities is Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
Data from ARK’s public attitudes surveys are feeding into the policy making process and provide evidence of the prevalence of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. A new report shows that among the 1,200 adults completing the 2023 Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey, one quarter of female respondents had experienced some form of gender-based violence (GBV) in the previous five years. In addition, a report based on the 2024 Young Life and Times (YLT) survey of 16-year-olds shows that one half of females had experienced GBV in the last 12 months, which is twice the level for males. Such experiences were most likely to be experienced online and in school. However, a much larger proportion of females also reported being exposed to GBV in public places.
Feeling safe is an important part of our lives. Over eight in ten young men taking part in YLT felt always or mostly safe in public places and online spaces. This was much lower for young women in relation to walking home on a quiet street (64%), in a park of open space (60%), in a busy public space (50%) or on their own on public transport (43%).
The publication of the government’s Strategic Framework is timely and welcome. However, the successful implementation of policies to tackle violence against women and girls depends on greater societal appreciation of the widespread and insidious nature of GBV. This requires broad and systemic change to attitudes, cultures, policies, institutions, and laws (McAlister et al., 2023). Also important is that initiatives are put in place aimed at preventing such violence happening. Given the evidence provided by the Young Life and Times survey, key to this must be our schools and colleges. Indeed, Outcome 2 (Healthy, Respectful Relationships) of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Framework stresses the need for schools and further and higher education to support children and young people to develop healthy, respectful relationships.
The theme of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is reflected in a new rotating exhibition in the McClay library at Queen’s. This five-piece installation is a collaboration between ARK and Conflict Textiles and runs from 18 November 2024 to 31 May 2025.
About the Authors
All three authors are members of ARK and based in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s
Dr Paula Devine is Co-Director of ARK, and director of the Northern Ireland Life and Times (NILT) survey.
Martina McKnight is ARK’s survey manager.
Dirk Schubotz is Professor of Youth and Social Policy at Queen’s University Belfast and is director of the Young Life and Times (YLT) survey.
Image courtesy of Phil Logan as part of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women textile display.
