by Michael McHugh, PA
Three major councils are backing a campaign to end sexual harassment against women in Northern Ireland.
Belfast City Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council are supporting a motion by the Raise Your Voice Project to consider misogyny as a hate crime.
A public awareness poster campaign in these councils’ facilities will highlight sexual harassment and sexual violence.
The authorities will ask Judge Desmond Marrinan to classify misogyny as a hate crime as part of his independent review of hate crime laws in Northern Ireland.
Karen Sweeney from the Women’s Support Network and Raise Your Voice said: “We would like to pay tribute to Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh and Ards and North Down councils for recognising misogyny as an issue that affects the lives of women, girls and non-binary people across Northern Ireland.
“They are leading the way for safer communities. We will be urging other councils to support our campaign to make misogyny a hate crime.”
Man dead following assault in Donegal
’24 hours of evil’: Kingsmill massacre survivor remembers events 50 years ago
Criminal barristers to strike indefinitely over NI justice system ‘crisis
Mike Nesbitt to step down as UUP leader
Whole island of Ireland under weather warning as wintry conditions sweep