'˜Time for action to tackle domestic abuse and sexual crime'

There is no place in our community for domestic abuse, rape or sexual crime, Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn has told the NI Assembly.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Oct 2016, 12:18 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2016, 18:56 BST
Trevor Lunn MLATrevor Lunn MLA
Trevor Lunn MLA

The Alliance Party’s Justice Spokesperson was speaking during an Assembly debate calling for the Executive to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse, rape and sexual crime.

“These crimes are deplorable and in many cases are cowardly attacks on vulnerable people, usually women and children,” Mr Lunn said.

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“The statistics, which show that in 83 per cent of rape cases no prosecution was recommended, need to be improved. If a woman is prepared to come forward, we need to know why only 17 out of every 100 cases are deemed worthy of court action.”

He added: “I welcome the commitment from the Justice Minister to bring forward legislation on coercive control and domestic abuse, but hope she can do it as soon as possible. Much work had already been done by the Department of Justice under the previous Justice Minister and this should be a good foundation for legislation. We need to stop talking about these crimes and take action.”