Call for consistent sentencing to tackle violence against women and girls – Beattie

Ulster Unionist Party Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA

Ulster Unionist Party Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA has called for urgent reform in sentencing practices across Northern Ireland, warning that inconsistent outcomes in the justice system are undermining efforts to end violence against women and girls.

Mr Beattie was responding to two recent court cases which he said highlight worrying disparities in how different types of abuse are handled by the judiciary.

“Last week, a Belfast woman was given four months in jail for harassing her ex-partner and sending abusive messages. The same week, a 38-year-old man was given a suspended jail sentence for slapping a 14-year-old girl. This raises several questions,” he said.

The Ulster Unionist MLA questioned the value of custodial sentences of less than one year, suggesting that they offer limited rehabilitation or public protection benefits.

“Yes, punishment, possibly a deterrent, but certainly not rehabilitation or protection of the public. I feel, in this instance, there could have been a better way of dealing with it using other diversionary methods,” he said.

However, Mr Beattie reserved his strongest criticism for what he views as the leniency shown towards male violence against young girls.

“Violence, particularly violence against a young girl, seems not to have been taken as seriously. Slapping a 14-year-old girl might seem on the lower scale of violence, and it is, but what is the effect on this young girl?” he asked.

“Does a slap lead to a punch, does a punch lead to more serious violence?” he continued. “To stop it, we need to make an example of those who think casual violence, like slapping a 14-year-old girl, is acceptable.”

Mr Beattie said that ending violence against women and girls requires three key components: education, empowerment, and deterrence.

“Education must be more than just explaining a healthy relationship, but must include understanding a functional home or social environment,” he said.

He stressed that victims and bystanders must be empowered to come forward and challenge abusive behaviour.

“Those who are being abused, who are facing derogatory and demeaning language or who are at the sharp end of violence must be empowered to come forward and not accept it in silence. Those witnessing such behaviour must also be empowered to report it and not see it as something we have come to expect,” he said.

Calling for stronger deterrents, Mr Beattie warned that sentencing needs to reflect the seriousness of such actions.

“Violence is an insidious, callous attempt to silence, control, hurt, dehumanise, and demean. We must ensure that it is seen for what it is.”

He also warned that media headlines, while not telling the full story, point to a “fine line our judiciary is treading”, which he believes is currently “getting it wrong”.

Mr Beattie reiterated his call for the establishment of a Sentencing Council for Northern Ireland, to bring clarity and consistency to the justice system.

“The disparity and lack of consistency in sentencing are undermining confidence and are not meeting our grand aims of ending violence against women and girls, or indeed ending casual violence against anyone.

“That is why I believe we must have a Sentencing Council for Northern Ireland, and I hope the Justice Minister will consider this as part of her Sentencing Bill due in the Autumn.”