A new report from our Centre for Children’s Rights found that 73 per cent of girls aged 12-17 reported having experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime. The report, ‘It’s Just What Happens’: Girls’ and Young Women’s Views and Experiences of Violence in Northern Ireland, is one of two commissioned by the Executive Office to obtain reliable data and increase understanding of this issue. The reports from Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University are being used to inform the Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls which is currently out to consultation.

The Queen’s University report was led by School of SSESW colleagues Siobhán McAlister, Dirk Schubotz and Michelle Templeton, and Gail Neill from Ulster University. The findings were based on 268 girls and young women across Northern Ireland who participated in the research. Key findings include: 

• The persistent nature of ‘everyday violence’ with almost all experiencing catcalling and street harassment from age 10-11 onwards.
• Girls receiving frequent unsolicited messages and sexual images from a young age. They considered this a normal part of their online life.
• The top three ranked barriers to girls reporting violence were: worried they might not be believed; worried it might make the situation worse; and not feeling it was serious enough to report.
• Learning about violence against girls and young women was identified by the participants as an important step in prevention. This should happen at a young age for boys and girls, in families, schools and youth provision.

Siobhan McAlister (right) said: “Those who took part in the research reported little formal learning about violence in school. This, alongside powerful social messages of blame and responsibility, impacts the ability of girls to recognise violence and their willingness to disclose personal experiences. Girls learn that they need to ‘keep themselves safe’, thus removing responsibility for violence from boys and men.

“Research participants were keen to point out, however, that blaming boys and men was not useful. Rather that early, inclusive and meaningful education was required. They emphasised the need to support boys and young men in recognising the impacts of their attitudes and behaviours, and to disrupt negative attitudes towards women at a broader societal level.”

The second report, Every Voice Matters!’ Violence Against Women in Northern Ireland, from Ulster University found that seven out of 10 of those surveyed had experienced some form of violence or abuse in the last 12 months.

See It’s just what happens’: Girls’ and Young Women’s Views and Experiences of Violence in Northern Ireland for the full School of SSESW report.