Unite encourages workers to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to raise awareness

Funding for victims’ support has failed to keep pace with record levels of domestic abuse being reported

Taryn Trainor, Unite Regional Women’s & Equalities Officer marked International Day for the Elimination Violence Against Women with a call for increased funding support for the victims of an upsurge in reported domestic and sexual abuse.

“Today Unite members will mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by wearing ribbons and displaying their solidarity with the victims of these crimes. It is also an opportunity for the trade union movement to demand government adequately fund support for victims and remove the barriers to women reporting these crimes.

“The latest figures confirm a 10 percent increase in the number of incidents of domestic abuse reported to the police in the last year in Northern Ireland. That was a total of 16,575 – with the true figure thought to be much higher due to low reporting rates.

“At the same time, funding for support agencies has been held constant leaving victims being left for six or seven months to wait for the help they need to get through the crisis.

“This is an intolerable situation leaving support organisations struggling to cope with the increased numbers of women coming forward. Government must reverse its policies and support women who face domestic and sexual violence. 

“Unite members in workplaces across Northern Ireland will continue to raise awareness on this issue for the next 16 days – culminating on International Human Rights Day on December 10th”, Ms Trainor said.