New figures show a rise in reported domestic abuse over the Christmas and New Year

Independent MLA Claire Sugden has said that new figures showing a rise in reported domestic abuse over the Christmas and New Year period highlight the urgent need for action to protect women and girls.

Ms Sugden said the figures come at a time of heightened concern following a recent report of an alleged sexual assault in Coleraine, reinforcing wider fears about safety within communities.

“The rise in reported domestic abuse over the Christmas and New Year period is deeply concerning. While increased reporting may reflect greater awareness and confidence to come forward, the scale of what is being reported shows that far too many people are experiencing abuse at a time when they should feel safest. These figures underline that domestic abuse does not pause over the holidays. For many victims, risk increases, isolation deepens, and opportunities to seek help can be more limited.

“The recent report of an alleged sexual assault in Coleraine has understandably caused concern. While it is vital that the justice process is allowed to take its course and no assumptions are made, incidents like this affect how safe women and girls feel.”

“These issues show that violence against women and girls is not an abstract or distant problem. It is something people are living with in their homes and communities.”

“Strategies and frameworks are important, but people want to know what is being done now. Women and girls cannot wait years for protection to materialise. That is why I have tabled a series of Assembly Questions pressing Ministers on what action has been delivered, whether support services are effective on the ground, and whether the system is coping with increased reporting.”

“If reports of domestic and sexual violence are increasing, then the response from government must increase too. That requires urgency, coordination and leadership across departments.”