Testimony of Derry survivors of paramilitary-related coercive control praised by Justice Minister Naomi Long

Transcript

00:00The Minister will be aware of the recently published report by Dr Aisling Swain that

00:03highlighted the prevalence of violence against women and girls by paramilitaries. Would you

00:08be able to provide your assessment of that publication?

00:12First of all, I want to commend both Dr Swain and Foil Women's Aid for the important research

00:17that was produced on the topic of paramilitary-related gendered coercive control. I was very pleased to

00:22be at the launch of that report to signal my very clear support for the work that is being done on

00:26this. The research is a very timely and important piece of research, which provides real insight

00:31into the lived experience of women who face paramilitary-related gendered coercive control,

00:36and the report and the testimonies of the victim survivors make for harrowing and sobering reading.

00:41These women have faced horrendous physical and sexual harm, including threats, surveillance,

00:46displacement and within relationships where they should have felt safe.

00:50The violence against women and girls and paramilitary violence are also linked,

00:55and the new end violence against women and girls strategy and strategic framework and draft

01:00programme for government, also published this month, speak to the importance of addressing

01:04these issues. We recognise that violence does not happen in a vacuum, and violence against

01:09women and girls and ongoing paramilitary violence are linked. We now need to take

01:14this real opportunity to ensure that there is a comprehensive and joined-up response.