Menu
18/01/2023
Other News In Brief
Green Party Concerned Domestic Abuse Calls 'Only The Tip Of The Iceberg'
Green Party Councillor Rachel Woods has said that she is concerned that domestic abuse calls made to the PSNI are "only the tip of the iceberg".
Responding to recent figures from the PSNI that they received over 3,600 calls about domestic abuse incidents over the holidays, the Holywood and Clandeboye representative said: "We know that domestic abuse has been on the rise for a number of years, and shows no sign of slowing down. It is ever present, and when many of us are celebrating Christmas with our friends and family at home, many others are facing domestic abuse. Incidents recorded by the PSNI are only the tip of the iceberg, as they are only the incidents that are reported - many never make a call, or reach out.
"Recent PSNI figures show that a total of 3,604 calls for help in relation to domestic abuse incidents were made over the Christmas period, and on Christmas Day, they received 110 calls in relation to domestic abuse, representing an increase of 10% from the same period last year. On New Year's Eve, the PSNI received 106 calls, an increase of 5% on the year before.
"We need a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and we are still the only part of the UK without one. The Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Sexual Offences legislation passed last mandate will go some way, but we have much to do to identify and solve root causes and eradicate abuse from our society.
"I'd encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse or is concerned about someone who is to reach out for support and advice. There are many organisations that can help, such as Women's Aid, Men's Advisory Project, the 24 hour domestic and sexual abuse helpline, or the PSNI."
UUP Backs Continued Policy Of Arming PSNI Officers
Ulster Unionist Policing Board spokesperson, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has backed the continued policy of arming every PSNI officer.
It follows a Policing Board report that called on the PSNI to "consider the policy in its future planning".
Mr Nesbitt said: "The Policing Board is not recommending that a single officer should be disarmed today, tomorrow, next week or next year. Rather, I see this as a challenge to all of us regarding the sort of society we want. Would I like one where it was not necessary for all police officers to regularly carry firearms? Of course! Are we there yet? Absolutely not!
"I think it is healthy to remind ourselves why officers need to carry lethal weapons, to review how often those weapons are deployed and to aspire to better days ahead.
"The fact remains that our police officers not only have to face armed and violent criminal gangs but also live under threat both on and off-duty, as was seen recently in the attacks in Strabane and Londonderry and the threats made in the New IRA statement issued to mark the New Year. Police officers have a right to defend themselves and they are entitled to have the means to do so."
ABC Council To Host Special Employability And Skills Conference
As part of their Get Future Ready campaign, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has announced a special employability and skills conference on Thursday 23 February.
Hosted by Wendy Austin, the event is open to all local employers, citizens and community representatives as well as stakeholders from across education, training and employment organisations.
The Conference, which takes place from 9am to 1.30pm at the Seagoe Hotel in Portadown, will focus on the importance of employability and skills in the borough, looking ahead to what will be needed by employers and what the future of work might look like.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Paul Greenfield said: "Council is delighted to host this conference for employers and job seekers in the borough to bring together leading experts and think through what skills are going to be needed in the workplace going forward.
"We look forward to what insights and inspiration Barry Winkless will share as he energises local business owners to think creatively ahead, exploring workplace solutions that will ignite employees to be motivated in their work that will improve productivity and output.
"The Conference, and indeed the full suite of events in February under the Get Future Ready umbrella, all aim to further develop a pipeline of talent aligned to local industry needs both now and in the future, and we look forward to welcoming, in particular, young people along."
The Get Future Ready: Employability and Skills series is part of the Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Labour Market Partnership – and is being delivered by Banbridge District Enterprises, in partnership with SRC and with support from Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation (CIDO) and Armagh and Mayfair Business Centres.
The Conference is one of many events taking place during February. Others include a Job Fair, Big Apprenticeship Event, ‘how to' demonstrations, and workshops on topics such as interview techniques and employer visits. Places for each event are limited so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
More information can be found on the special online hub getfuturereadyabc.com.
Green Party Councillor Rachel Woods has said that she is concerned that domestic abuse calls made to the PSNI are "only the tip of the iceberg".
Responding to recent figures from the PSNI that they received over 3,600 calls about domestic abuse incidents over the holidays, the Holywood and Clandeboye representative said: "We know that domestic abuse has been on the rise for a number of years, and shows no sign of slowing down. It is ever present, and when many of us are celebrating Christmas with our friends and family at home, many others are facing domestic abuse. Incidents recorded by the PSNI are only the tip of the iceberg, as they are only the incidents that are reported - many never make a call, or reach out.
"Recent PSNI figures show that a total of 3,604 calls for help in relation to domestic abuse incidents were made over the Christmas period, and on Christmas Day, they received 110 calls in relation to domestic abuse, representing an increase of 10% from the same period last year. On New Year's Eve, the PSNI received 106 calls, an increase of 5% on the year before.
"We need a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and we are still the only part of the UK without one. The Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Sexual Offences legislation passed last mandate will go some way, but we have much to do to identify and solve root causes and eradicate abuse from our society.
"I'd encourage anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse or is concerned about someone who is to reach out for support and advice. There are many organisations that can help, such as Women's Aid, Men's Advisory Project, the 24 hour domestic and sexual abuse helpline, or the PSNI."
UUP Backs Continued Policy Of Arming PSNI Officers
Ulster Unionist Policing Board spokesperson, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has backed the continued policy of arming every PSNI officer.
It follows a Policing Board report that called on the PSNI to "consider the policy in its future planning".
Mr Nesbitt said: "The Policing Board is not recommending that a single officer should be disarmed today, tomorrow, next week or next year. Rather, I see this as a challenge to all of us regarding the sort of society we want. Would I like one where it was not necessary for all police officers to regularly carry firearms? Of course! Are we there yet? Absolutely not!
"I think it is healthy to remind ourselves why officers need to carry lethal weapons, to review how often those weapons are deployed and to aspire to better days ahead.
"The fact remains that our police officers not only have to face armed and violent criminal gangs but also live under threat both on and off-duty, as was seen recently in the attacks in Strabane and Londonderry and the threats made in the New IRA statement issued to mark the New Year. Police officers have a right to defend themselves and they are entitled to have the means to do so."
ABC Council To Host Special Employability And Skills Conference
As part of their Get Future Ready campaign, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has announced a special employability and skills conference on Thursday 23 February.
Hosted by Wendy Austin, the event is open to all local employers, citizens and community representatives as well as stakeholders from across education, training and employment organisations.
The Conference, which takes place from 9am to 1.30pm at the Seagoe Hotel in Portadown, will focus on the importance of employability and skills in the borough, looking ahead to what will be needed by employers and what the future of work might look like.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Paul Greenfield said: "Council is delighted to host this conference for employers and job seekers in the borough to bring together leading experts and think through what skills are going to be needed in the workplace going forward.
"We look forward to what insights and inspiration Barry Winkless will share as he energises local business owners to think creatively ahead, exploring workplace solutions that will ignite employees to be motivated in their work that will improve productivity and output.
"The Conference, and indeed the full suite of events in February under the Get Future Ready umbrella, all aim to further develop a pipeline of talent aligned to local industry needs both now and in the future, and we look forward to welcoming, in particular, young people along."
The Get Future Ready: Employability and Skills series is part of the Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon Labour Market Partnership – and is being delivered by Banbridge District Enterprises, in partnership with SRC and with support from Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation (CIDO) and Armagh and Mayfair Business Centres.
The Conference is one of many events taking place during February. Others include a Job Fair, Big Apprenticeship Event, ‘how to' demonstrations, and workshops on topics such as interview techniques and employer visits. Places for each event are limited so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
More information can be found on the special online hub getfuturereadyabc.com.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 January 2024
PSNI Received 2,228 Domestic-Abuse Calls Over Christmas Period
The PSNI responded to a total of 2,228 domestic abuse calls between 20th November 2023 and 2nd January 2024, during their annual Operation 'Season's Greetings'. On these key festive dates from 24th December 2023 to 1st January 2024, the service also arrested more under 18s for domestic abuse related offences than the previous three years.
PSNI Received 2,228 Domestic-Abuse Calls Over Christmas Period
The PSNI responded to a total of 2,228 domestic abuse calls between 20th November 2023 and 2nd January 2024, during their annual Operation 'Season's Greetings'. On these key festive dates from 24th December 2023 to 1st January 2024, the service also arrested more under 18s for domestic abuse related offences than the previous three years.
26 February 2009
Domestic Abuse Targeted By Policing Board
With police attending around 300 calls to domestic incidents weekly, yesterday's focus by the Northern Ireland Policing Board on the issue is being seen as particularly timely, especially as an inquiry into the issue is due for publication next month.
Domestic Abuse Targeted By Policing Board
With police attending around 300 calls to domestic incidents weekly, yesterday's focus by the Northern Ireland Policing Board on the issue is being seen as particularly timely, especially as an inquiry into the issue is due for publication next month.
08 June 2016
PSNI Respond To Domestic Abuse Incident Every 19 Minutes
The PSNI respond to a domestic abuse incident in Northern Ireland every 19 minutes. Between March 2015 and April 2016, there were 28,392 domestic abuse incidents reported to police, which is an increase of 105 incidents compared to the same period last year.
PSNI Respond To Domestic Abuse Incident Every 19 Minutes
The PSNI respond to a domestic abuse incident in Northern Ireland every 19 minutes. Between March 2015 and April 2016, there were 28,392 domestic abuse incidents reported to police, which is an increase of 105 incidents compared to the same period last year.
12 January 2022
Almost 2,000 Calls For Help Made To PSNI Over Christmas Period
The PSNI received a total of 1959 calls for help between 14 December and 01 January from domestic abuse victims and concerned loved ones.
Almost 2,000 Calls For Help Made To PSNI Over Christmas Period
The PSNI received a total of 1959 calls for help between 14 December and 01 January from domestic abuse victims and concerned loved ones.
20 July 2022
New Domestic And Sexual Abuse Strategy Published
A new cross-departmental strategy to stop domestic and sexual violence and abuse in Northern Ireland has been published.
New Domestic And Sexual Abuse Strategy Published
A new cross-departmental strategy to stop domestic and sexual violence and abuse in Northern Ireland has been published.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
