Violence in Ballymena text above WRDA RTA WSN NIRWN logos
We must first acknowledge the girl whose violation sparked the chain of events. She and her family will have to navigate her trauma and grief from this incident as well as to engage with the criminal justice system, which is challenging for any survivor, and particularly for one so young. We stand in solidarity with her and with her family now and always. Her family called for a peaceful and inclusive vigil to draw attention to the epidemic of violence against women and girls, and this could have been a moment for the community to come together on this issue that plagues every part of our society and impacts such a huge number of women and girls across our lifetimes.
Instead, ostensibly because of the ethnic background of the boys accused of carrying out this attack, the vigil was hijacked by people intent on harm. Their actions harmed families and individuals and left many without shelter, including women and girls who were removed from their homes by this destruction. They have also left people in fear for their safety, particularly people from an ethnic minority background. None of this helps the victim in this case. None of this will address the broader issue of VAWG.
Most gender-based violence and most sexual violence is carried out by people known to the victim. In the reporting year 2023/24, 1,681 files were sent to the PPS regarding sexual crimes. Many of these were not prosecuted, and many, many more were never reported. We do not usually see vigilante actions in response to incidents of rape, and in this case it is clear that these actions, which defied the family’s wishes, were motivated by racism. We welcome outrage at the trauma that this girl has suffered, but this outrage can and must be channelled correctly. We need reform within the legal system, we need to address the culture that makes these incidents so common, we need to tackle prejudice and racism, and we need to redouble our efforts to achieve the goal of ending violence against women and girls.
We must first acknowledge the girl whose violation sparked the chain of events. We stand in solidarity with her and with her family now and always.
Instead, ostensibly because of the ethnic background of the boys accused of carrying out this attack, the vigil was hijacked by people intent on harm.
