Chelsea Harwood secures council commitment to violence against women training after Glover remarks

Inset: Alliance councillor for Braid, Chelsea Harwood

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has committed to providing all elected members with training on violence against women and girls (VAWG), including the harmful effects of victim blaming, after Alliance councillor Chelsea Harwood raised the issue at Monday night’s council meeting (27 July) following recent remarks by DUP councillor Reuben Glover.

The confirmation came in response to a question submitted by Councillor Harwood amid widespread political criticism of comments attributed to Councillor Glover, which linked girls’ clothing to an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena.

Council confirmed that specialist organisation ONUS will deliver workshops for elected members this autumn, focusing on violence against women and girls and how victim-blaming attitudes can discourage survivors from coming forward.

Council confirms specialist training

During Monday evening’s meeting, Councillor Harwood asked whether elected members would receive training following the recent public debate surrounding violence against women and girls.

In response, the council confirmed that ONUS will provide dedicated workshops covering the causes and impact of violence against women and girls, including the harmful effects of victim blaming and the responsibilities of those in public office when discussing such issues.

The commitment represents the council’s first practical response to the controversy, ensuring all councillors will receive specialist training later this year.

‘Words can have real consequences’

Welcoming the commitment, Councillor Harwood said it was essential that elected representatives understood the impact their comments could have on victims and survivors.

“I welcome the confirmation that this training will be provided to elected members,” she said.

“Violence against women and girls is a serious issue and it is vital that those in public office understand the impact that their words can have.

“When victims hear comments suggesting that the way someone dresses, behaves or lives their life is somehow relevant to whether they experience abuse, it can make others think twice about coming forward. The responsibility for violence and abuse always lies with the perpetrator, never the victim.”

She said she hoped the workshops would help improve understanding among councillors and encourage greater care when discussing issues affecting victims of abuse.

“I hope this training helps ensure that, in future, elected representatives show better judgement when discussing these issues. As councillors, we have a responsibility to help create an environment where victims feel believed, supported and confident to report what has happened to them.”

Training follows cross-party criticism

The council’s commitment comes after comments attributed to Councillor Glover prompted criticism from across the political spectrum.

Representatives from the Ulster Unionist Party, Alliance, TUV and Sinn Féin have all publicly condemned the remarks, with several calling for disciplinary action and stressing that responsibility for sexual violence always lies with the perpetrator.

While the council’s decision is not a disciplinary measure, the forthcoming training aims to equip elected representatives with a greater understanding of violence against women and girls and the damaging impact victim-blaming attitudes can have on those affected by abuse.

The ONUS workshops are expected to take place this autumn.