Boyle: I'll be a voice for victims of domestic abuse

West Tyrone MLA Michaela Boyle met with representatives of Women's Aid from Derry last week and says she's committed to tackling the issue of domestic violence. Describing it as "a crime in all its forms" she says more needs to be done to stamp it out completely.

Sinn Fein MLA for West Tyrone Michaela Boyle has said she'll be a voice for victims of domestic violence.

That's after she met with representatives of local voluntary organisation Women's Aid in Derry last week. The group provide support and refuge services for women and their children who suffer from mental, physical or sexual abuse. 

"Domestic violence in all its forms is a crime, and we all have to work harder to tackle it," she said after the meeting.

She also feels, as an MLA for a rural constituency, that men and women who are subjected to abuse within the home are particularly affected by the issue.

"Many feel particularly isolated and distressed, many in this situation believe they have nowhere to turn," she told Q radio.

"As an MLA in West Tyrone, I'm always very concerned about the plight of rural victims and I believe Women's Aid provides a critical lifeline to these women and I am hugely appreciative of their outreach efforts in these areas," she added.

Another topic for discussion at last week's meeting was the problem facing not only Women's Aid but other voluntary organisations in the wake of Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

"[Brexit] has massive implications, there are a lot of projects and elements of projects that receive European funding. We have to do more to ensure that funding from Europe is safeguarded in whatever way, shapre or form we can manage to do that," she told Q radio before the weekend.

"It is clear we all need to do more to assist with service provision and funding to this sector," she said.

The Stormont Justice Committee member also restated her efforts in the coming term to assist all victims of domestic violence and abuse.

"In my role within the Justice Committee I am fully committed to playing my part in raising awareness of these important issues and being a voice for victims of domestic violence," she said.