‘Action needed to protect women and girls’ – Newry MLA | Newry Times
SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has called on the NI Executive to step up to protect women and girls.
He was speaking after Justice Minister Naomi Long ruled out any change in legislation to combat the rising problem of drink spiking.
The Newry and Armagh MLA comments, “There has been a really worrying increase in the number of cases of women having their drinks spiked.
“Disturbingly, there has also been a rise in incidents where women have been forcibly injected with drugs to cause them physical harm and facilitate sexual assault.
“As we head into the Christmas period and pandemic restrictions on nightlife venues begin to ease, it is absolutely imperative that there is a strong and coordinated effort to keep people safe from predators.
“I raised the critical issue of spiking in a meeting with PSNI chiefs this week,” he continues.
“And my party colleague, Sinead McLaughlin MLA has been lobbying the Justice Minister and Joint First Ministers to take decisive action to tackle crimes against women.
“It is important to remember that spiking and sexual assault can happen to any person, of any gender.
“But women and girls are disproportionately impacted by these crimes.
“There is an enormous issue with underreporting in the context of spiking and sexual assault.
“So it is extremely important that victims feel safe and supported in coming forward.
‘The Executive needs to recognise the severity of this problem and step up to the mark, not just with words of comfort and indignation, but with decisive action.
“The Justice Minister needs to detail exactly what she will be doing to keep women and girls safe.
“And the Joint First Ministers need to deliver a strategy on the prevention of violence against women and girls without delay,” the Newry MLA adds.
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