What is violence against women and girls?

Violence against women is a violation of women's fundamental human rights: UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993). It spikes in post-conflict societies, due to the general break down of the rule of law, the availability of small arms, the breakdown of social and family structures and the “normalization” of gender-based violence as an additional element of pre-existing discrimination. Research shows that this is comparable in Northern Ireland within the context of inequalities in a post-conflict society.

Violence against women and girls is comprised of actions and the threat of actions including:

• physical, sexual, psychological and emotional violence occurring in the family including children and young people (Domestic Abuse), in the general community, or in institutions, including: coercive control and stalking

• harmful sexual behaviour which is sexual behaviours expressed by children and young people that are inappropriate or abusive

• sexual harassment, bullying, and intimidation in any public or private space

• commercial and non-commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls, trafficking, child sexual abuse, so-called honour based violence, including female genital mutilation, forced and child marriages, and so-called honour crimes

• online and technology facilitated abuse [or gender based violence] including cyberstalking, cyber flashing, sexual harassment, grooming for exploitation or abuse, image based sexual abuse and abuse through emerging technologies such as ‘internet of things’ devices

• workplace sexual harassment ranging from sexual jokes or comments to unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature

• financial abuse such as controlling a woman’s or girl's access to their money, taking loans or credit cards in their name, or using their money without their permission

• everyday harm caused by everyday misogyny, sexist jokes and language, and discrimination which contributes to an atmosphere in which the threat of violence, specific or general is consistently in women’s mind

If you or someone you know has experienced harassment, abuse or violence, please visit the following link to find support services and resources:

Raise Your Voice: Help and Advice

Raise Your Voice is a collective of 4 women’s organisations working together to tackle sexual harassment and sexual violence across Northern Ireland. They maintain a list of help and advice organisations working to tackle these issues for women, children and men.

NI Direct: Support Service for Victims

If you have been a victim of crime or abuse in Northern Ireland, there are organisations and groups that can give you free advice and support to help you deal with the impact of a crime.