IN a welcome departure from political division, MLAs came together yesterday to support legislation targeting domestic abusers.
Although the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill merely brings us into line with Britain and the rest of Ireland, its introduction shows that when there is the political will, Stormont can act decisively against serious injustice.
The bill aims to tackle the growing incidence of domestic abuse as indicated by the PSNI.
It received almost 600 domestic abuse calls every week in the past year, the highest level since figures were first recorded 15 years ago.
The problem is even more widespread, since not all abuse is reported.
The situation has been made worse by the coronavirus lockdown, which allows domestic abuse to fester in a more sealed-off environment.
While the pandemic is highly publicised, many of the social and economic problems it creates are hidden behind society’s closed front doors. The new legislation offers a mechanism for opening those doors.
Stormont’s actions are long overdue. Initiated by former justice minister Claire Sudden, the legislation was shelved for three years during the assembly’s suspension and it took another year to reach its final reading yesterday.
We can only guess at the suffering and distress which many have endured during those four years without the protection of appropriate legislation.
However, it is here now and it is welcome. The bill creates the new offence of domestic abuse and allows for heavier sentences where children are involved, with the worst offenders facing up to 14 years in prison.
In another welcome development, it extends the concept of abuse to include psychological abuse and non-violent intimidation and it also encompasses emotional, financial, sexual and technological abuse.
As justice minister Naomi Long rightly said, it represents an important change in the law.
But changing the law will make little difference without changed attitudes and behaviour in society. This requires zero tolerance of domestic abuse by encouraging victims to report it, providing appropriate support services for them and implementing vigorous legal proceedings against those accused of it.
Change tends to come slowly in our society, but yesterday’s Stormont decision offers a legally-based opportunity to rapidly create a better life for many.
It is an opportunity which everyone should welcome.
