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05/08/2019
Brutal Reality Of Paramilitary-Style Attacks To Be Highlighted
A multimedia campaign is set to highlight the brutal reality of paramilitary style attacks.
'Ending the Harm' launches today, Monday 05 August, in a bid to bring the impact of these attacks on victims, their families, local communities and the wider society to the fore.
The multi-media campaign, which was first launched in October 2018, tells the story of a paramilitary style shooting from the points of view of the four people involved: the victim, his mother, the paramilitary gang member and a witness.
The radio advertisements and social media activity will go live today, with the TV advertisements scheduled for broadcast from Monday 12 August. Outdoor advertising depicting an image of a badly beaten man will also be relaunched later this month.
'Ending the Harm' was commissioned after research showed that 35% of people living in areas impacted by paramilitary activity believed that such attacks were justified in certain circumstances.
Anthony Harbinson, from the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme Board, said: "The purpose of this campaign has been to highlight the devastating toll these attacks have and help people understand that the criminals who carry out these attacks don't care about people, or justice, or solving social problems in communities. They don't offer protection and they are only interested in exerting control and exploiting people for their own gain, using violence as a means to do so."
A more recent snapshot of public opinion, gained through research carried out into the initial campaign, fund that 19% of people now believe the criminality is justified, an encouraging 46% decrease.
Mr Harbinson continued: "But the reality is these barbaric attacks are still an issue of concern. The latest statistics show that, between July 2018 and June 2019, there were 81 victims of so-called 'paramilitary style attacks'. This includes 17 victims of shootings and 64 victims of assaults. That's approximately one attack every four days.
"In the previous 12 month period, there were a total of 79 so-called 'paramilitary style attacks' (20 shootings and 59 assaults). In June of this year alone, there were 12 assaults, the highest number in one month since April 2009.
"Although there has been a long term downward trend, this is still an issue that we as a society need to deal with and this campaign is a vital part of tackling this scourge on our communities."
(JG/CM)
'Ending the Harm' launches today, Monday 05 August, in a bid to bring the impact of these attacks on victims, their families, local communities and the wider society to the fore.
The multi-media campaign, which was first launched in October 2018, tells the story of a paramilitary style shooting from the points of view of the four people involved: the victim, his mother, the paramilitary gang member and a witness.
The radio advertisements and social media activity will go live today, with the TV advertisements scheduled for broadcast from Monday 12 August. Outdoor advertising depicting an image of a badly beaten man will also be relaunched later this month.
'Ending the Harm' was commissioned after research showed that 35% of people living in areas impacted by paramilitary activity believed that such attacks were justified in certain circumstances.
Anthony Harbinson, from the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme Board, said: "The purpose of this campaign has been to highlight the devastating toll these attacks have and help people understand that the criminals who carry out these attacks don't care about people, or justice, or solving social problems in communities. They don't offer protection and they are only interested in exerting control and exploiting people for their own gain, using violence as a means to do so."
A more recent snapshot of public opinion, gained through research carried out into the initial campaign, fund that 19% of people now believe the criminality is justified, an encouraging 46% decrease.
Mr Harbinson continued: "But the reality is these barbaric attacks are still an issue of concern. The latest statistics show that, between July 2018 and June 2019, there were 81 victims of so-called 'paramilitary style attacks'. This includes 17 victims of shootings and 64 victims of assaults. That's approximately one attack every four days.
"In the previous 12 month period, there were a total of 79 so-called 'paramilitary style attacks' (20 shootings and 59 assaults). In June of this year alone, there were 12 assaults, the highest number in one month since April 2009.
"Although there has been a long term downward trend, this is still an issue that we as a society need to deal with and this campaign is a vital part of tackling this scourge on our communities."
(JG/CM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
