50% rise in rapes over six years

BBC.CO.UK / Northern Ireland

There has been a 50% increase in rapes in Northern Ireland over the past six years, according to government figures.

There were more than 450 reported or attempted rapes last year.

The highest figure was in Foyle where 40 assaults were reported last year, whilst 39 incidents were reported in south Belfast.

DUP assembly member for south Belfast Jimmy Spratt called for tougher legislation to support victims of rape as well as a "robust action" by police.

He said the "clear-up rate is far too low in Northern Ireland".

"That needs to dramatically increase, there are far too few cases coming to conviction and certainly that needs to change.

"It needs to be shown that the victim is being fully supported."

The figures were released by Justice Minister Paul Goggins in response to a parliamentary question from DUP MP Nigel Dodds.

Mr Dodds said the figures were "quite disturbing".

"We need to restore confidence in law and order. As a society we need to get back to a point where the community has faith in our justice system," he said.

Mr Goggins said the government was committed to improving the rates of successful prosecution in rape cases.

"Specialist police units, staffed by highly skilled and trained personnel, are dedicated to enhancing the service to victims of rape and sexual assault," he said.

"Both PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service are seeking to develop models of best investigative practice so that more offences can achieve the threshold for prosecution."

Reported rapes in North up 50% in past six years

BELFAST TELEGRAPH
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

The number of rapes being reported in the North has increased by 50% in the past six years, according to official figures.

Figures from the British Government show that more than 450 rapes or attempted rapes were reported last year.

Only 3% of cases resulted in convictions.

DUP MP Nigel Dodds says the figures are disturbing and people have a lack of confidence in the police and courts to protect them.

Justice Minister Paul Goggins, meanwhile, says the Public Prosecution Service is trying to develop new ways of investigating claims so more offences can be prosecuted.

Rape Statistics Show Dramatic Rise

4NI.co.uk

Both south Belfast and the North West have been shown as the areas where women are most at risk of rape.

Government figures just released have revealed a 50% increase overall in rape cases in Northern Ireland over the past six years.

There were more than 450 reported or attempted rapes in 2007 alone.

But, the highest number of rapes was in the Foyle area where 40 assaults were reported last year, with south Belfast a close second with just one less – at 39 reported incidents.

The figures were revealed by Justice Minister Paul Goggins in response to a parliamentary question from DUP MP Nigel Dodds who described the figures as disturbing.

He said that women must be reassured that they will be supported in any allegation of rape and to see that the crime is severely dealt with in the courts.

Mr Dodds said the figures were "quite disturbing".

"We need to restore confidence in law and order. As a society we need to get back to a point where the community has faith in our justice system," he said.

NIO Minister. Mr Goggins said the government was committed to improving the rates of successful prosecution in rape cases.

"Specialist police units, staffed by highly skilled and trained personnel, are dedicated to enhancing the service to victims of rape and sexual assault," he said.

"Both PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service are seeking to develop models of best investigative practice so that more offences can achieve the threshold for prosecution."

(BMcC)

Rise in rape incidents to one per day

Belfast Newsletter | 15.01.08

By Staff reporter

MORE than one woman is raped every day in Northern Ireland and the number of men reporting the crime has increased sevenfold since the law changed to identify men as victims of rape.

Statistics revealed by Security Minister Paul Goggins showed that 457 people were victims of rape last year, with 410 of them being women.

The figures for last year show a rise of 66 incidents of rapes from the previous year and in the past 10 years the figure has averaged at 274 rapes every year.

When first deemed victims in 2003, following the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, men who reported being raped numbered just six.

Last year’s figures showed that 47 men said they were raped.

Prompted by a parliamentary question by Economy Minister Nigel Dodds, Mr Goggins’ response broke down the figures for rape victims over the last 10 years, showing categories for age and sex.

Responding to the figures, Mr Dodds said he had “no doubt there is a greater reporting of crime than ever before”.

“This is a very serious crime and it continues to be a major issue for society that causes enormous trauma for its victims,” he said.

“We want to send a message to the perpetrators that the courts and the police are doing everything in their power to catch these people and put them away for a very long time.”

Spokeswoman for the Rape Crisis Centre in Northern Ireland Eileen Calder said her organisation’s statistics showed a “dramatic rise” in the number of people seeking help from the support service.

“Whether or not that can be interpreted as being proof of more sexual violence or that more people are prepared to report we can’t be sure but more people are prepared to come forward for counselling.

“It’s not scientific but in my experience I have seen quite a lot of girls, aged 14 to 17, who are less likely to blame themselves for being raped which is a good thing,” she said.

ARTISTS THROW LIFELINE TO RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

UTV from www.u.tv A sexual abuse charity could be saved from closure by some of Northern Ireland's top artists, it has emerged.

Paintings worth thousands of pounds are to be auctioned as part of a fundraising event for a beleaguered rape victims charity.

The money throws a lifeline to Belfast's Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre which has been facing closure since government funding was stopped last year.

More than 40 of Northern Ireland's most popular artists, including Rita Duffy, Brian Ballard and Hector McDonnell, have donated paintings for the auction.

A total of 15 works of art will go under the hammer at Ross' Auction House, Belfast, on Wednesday while the remaining paintings will be included in a show in April.

The charity has been struggling for almost 18 months since its government funding was controversially withdrawn.

A grant of £66,000 a year was stopped in July last year because the government claimed the centre was failing to keep proper financial accounts.

The centre - which is the only free crisis counselling service in Northern Ireland for victims of rape, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse - survives on public donations and small fundraising events.

It employs just two people and has the support of three volunteers.

Paula Wynburne, who organised a similar auction 15 years ago, said: "When I heard they were in dire financial straits I volunteered to come back and do some fundraising for them. And since it was so long since the last one I thought I`d go back and ask the artists to donate again."

TOP ARTISTS PUT WORK TO AUCTION FOR RAPE CRISIS CENTRE

SOME of Northern Ireland's top artists have donated thousands of pounds worth of paintings to the Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre.

The paintings are part of an auction celebrating Irish contemporary art, including works from Hector McDonnell, Rita Duffy and Brian Ballard, taking place at Ross's Auction House next Wednesday (December 5).

Over 40 artists have donated pieces with 15 being auctioned next week, the remaining donations will be part of a show in April next year.
The auction is a life line for the struggling charity.

Almost two years ago the Rape Crisis Centre - which is the only free, crisis counselling service in Northern Ireland for victims and survivors of rape, child sexual abuse and sexual violence – had it’s government funding withdrawn amid controversy.

Since this time the Centre, with only staff of just two and a further three volunteers have been surviving on donations from the general public and small fund-raising events organised by supporters.

Paula Wynburne, voluntary fundraiser for the Rape Crisis Centre, organised an auction 15 years ago to support the Centre and when she heard about their troubles she decided to organise another fundraiser.

Paula & Rita discuss her series of paintings
one of which she has donated to the auction


She said: "When I heard they were in dire financial straits I volunteered to come back and do some fundraising for them.

"And since it was so long since the last one I thought I'd go back and ask the artists to donate again.

"This auction not only enables people to support the Rape Crisis Centre, they get a work of art, which over time will actually increase in value. It benefits the buyer as well, it's something they get to enjoy and reap the benefits of.

"A list of the Rape Crisis Centre paintings will be available at Ross's so people can go down and view them on Tuesday.
"We are also going to be doing an exhibition at the beginning of next year".

One of Northern Ireland's most celebrated artists, Rita Duffy is donating a painting from a series on the female psyche.

"I believe in the Rape Crisis Centre as a valuable part of every civilised community, if we were a more civilised community there would be no need for a Rape Crisis Centre because violence against women wouldn't be happening", she said.

"But unfortunately it's still in 2007 a part of everyday life in Northern Ireland. And unfortunately it's still a area we need to fund-raise for to give assistance to women who are in need.

"I have also a contract with Amnesty International because I believe in Full Stop - violence against the human is wrong.

"We do these things and we hope tomorrow will be a better day. But then again you look at the pace of development in Northern Ireland and if you were a more despairing person, maybe you would despair, we're very slow at actually fulfilling our needs here in terms of real issues.

"In light of what is going on in our communities, it is absolutely vital that women and families get the support that they need".

Don't go out alone' warning to women

BELFAST TELEGRAPH
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Women in the lower Shankill area have been warned not to walk alone at night following the second serious sexual assault in the area in a fortnight.

Police are investigating reports that a 17-year-old girl was raped in the Malvern Street area as she was walking home on Monday night.

She was attacked by an unknown male shortly before 10.30pm near a GPs' surgery.

Councillor Elaine McMillen said she feared the attack and another serious sexual assault on a woman in her 20s at nearby Denmark Street early on November 17 could be linked.

"That is two within a couple of weeks of each other," the DUP councillor said.

"I would be worried that there is a link between the two. People should be vigilant, young ladies especially. I would appeal to anybody who knows who this is to ring the police so they can be brought to justice."

But police said they are not investigating a link.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "If anything comes up in the course of this investigation, it will be investigated further."

PUP councillor Hugh Smith said he would be contacting police to make sure there are more patrols in the area.

Rape Crisis Centre director Eileen Calder said: "It's an absolute disgrace that women are not safe on the streets of Belfast. Even at that time of the night, women should have the right to be able to walk around without the fear of attack."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Antrim Road at 0845 6008000.