Alliance backs campaign to end domestic violence

4.03.11pm GMT Mon 27th Nov 2006

Alliance Party Chair, Yvonne Boyle

Alliance Party Chair Yvonne Boyle has welcomed the launch of 16 days of activism to combat gender violence, starting at a conference in Belfast today. Women's Aid stated that the PSNI deal with a domestic violence incident every 22 minutes. The Belfast conference will be attended by delegates from the health, police and women's sector and will examine violence that women face globally. Yvonne is a member of the Alliance Women's network and is a strong campaigner on gender and equality matters.

Yvonne Boyle, who is employed as a senior social worker dealing with incidents of domestic violence, said: "I strongly support this campaign against gender violence. I hope that it raises awareness across the local agencies in order to prevent this blight on our society.

"Domestic violence is a massive problem in Northern Ireland, with five people being killed locally every year as a result of it. Hundreds of families here are ripped apart every year as a result of domestic violence and the strongest possible message must be conveyed to help prevent further incidents.

"There is a real and urgent need for prevention and for more resources to be allocated to enable effective follow-up of these incidents.

"We are trying to eradicate all forms violence throughout this society and I strongly back all efforts in this regard."

ENDS