Nicola Grant has told a branch meeting of Newry Workers Party that the increasing number of violent attacks on women and girls both physical and sexual must be tackled by a whole society response and approach in light of the recent report about another attack in the town. She said the freedom from all forms of abuse is not just a problem for women it’s a problem for everyone within our communities and wider society.

Nicola continued there are no harmless forms of abuse against women, verbal abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse, and coercive control must be all be treated as the criminal activity it is. Our education system must engage with children from a young age explaining why all forms of gender-based violence and abuse is not only unacceptable but is also a crime. This must be reinforced throughout young mens lives in the home, in the workplace, in communities and in wider society.