More help and support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and coercive control are urgently needed in Northern Ireland, according to leading trade union Unite.

Unite has challenged the Northern Ireland Executive to make real its Programme for Government priority of ending violence against women and girls. This includes Safe Leave (paid annual leave to allow access to emergency accommodation, healthcare or the legal system) and locally-accessible emergency accommodation.

Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in Western Europe to be a woman but Stormont has yet to deliver actions to protect women who are living with threat or coercive control.

The union highlighted the two-year delay on the Stormont commitment for ‘Safe Leave’ for female workers experiencing violence and are unable to attend work. There is also a huge shortfall of local emergency accommodation, in particular for those with dependents – making it more difficult for victims and survivors of domestic abuse to leave dangerous situations.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in western Europe to be a woman or a girl. The recent murders of women in the region shows that things are not improving but getting worse. This is a devolved matter where Stormont has the needed powers, the executive cannot continue to fail to act and must protect victims and survivors.”

Regional women’s and equality officer for the union Collette O’Hagan said: “Safe Leave was promised by the Executive two years ago but we are still waiting for delivery. Meanwhile locally-accessible emergency accommodation for female survivors and victims is woefully inadequate – especially where the woman has dependents.

“Women in Northern Ireland experiencing domestic violence or coercive control find themselves trapped in dangerous situations because of the lack of support and services. This situation cannot continue – we need to see action to protect women and girls.”

ENDS

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Donal O'Cofaigh, Unite campaigns & communications (NI), tel. 07810 157926.