Day of action planned against domestic violence
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Maeve McLaughlin has urged people in Derry to take part in a global day of action “ONE BILLION RISING” this St. Valentine’s Day to support an end to violence against women and girls.
The Foyle MLA will herself be taking part in an event at on the steps of Stormont at 12:30pm with a dance flash mob hosted by Junior Minister Jennifer McCann. At 5.15pm an event will be held in Derry’s Guildhall Square to mark the event.
There will be a balloon release and those attendin participating are asked to wear red or black.
Ms. McLaughlin said: “On Valentine’s Day, this Thursday, in Derry, I would urge people to come along and show their support at the Guildhall Square at 5.15pm by standing up and saying no to violence against women and girls.
“In the North of Ireland last year 26,390 domestic violence incidents were reported to the PSNI – one every 21 minutes, that’s a staggering figure.
“Research shows that it takes an average of 35 violent incidents before a woman will report abuse to police. 553 rapes, including attempted rapes, were reported to police in the North, and that’s only the attacks that were reported.
“In the aftermath of the horrific rape and murder of a young woman on a bus in the Indian city of Delhi, people around the world have been desperate to find ways to stand against violence against women and girls in all of its forms.
“Rape and sexual offences are notoriously under reported crimes, due to the intimate nature of the crimes, the relationship between victim and perpetrator, and the fear that victims won’t be believed or that reporting won’t result in a conviction. “This concern is not unjustified – last year, only 18.1% of rapes reported were ‘cleared’ by police. 19% of all murders in the North last year were classed as having a domestic motivation,” Ms McLaughlin added.
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Weather for Derry
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
