‘We need to raise our boys better and provide positive male role models to counter toxic masculinity’ Sligo rally is told

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo was among towns and cities worldwide that marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with a rally outside the courthouse on Tuesday evening.

Amongst those who addressed the rally was Labour Party representative, Cllr Ann Higgins who expressed her sadness that “Domestic and gender based violence in Ireland is on the increase and has in some ways become our new norm.”

Cllr Higgins spoke about the serious instances of violence against women that have featured on the national news in recent times and referred to the measures woman have to take in an attempt to ensure their safety.

“Just looking at RTE news over the last 24 hours, it included items on violent death of two women in separate incidents, one violent assault and two convictions for rape.

“So we must face our uncomfortable truth, that violence against girls and women is a pervasive issue that exists across all our communities and generations.”

“I am sure many women here tonight take additional safety precautions without giving it a second thought, the bunch of keys in your hand when walking to your car at night, the phone call to a friend while walking home at dusk, the ‘text me when you get home’ message. That’s our reality, our lived experience and unfortunately it is getting worse as domestic and gender-based violence and indeed coercive control are now a lived reality for so many of our girls and women.”

The manner in which violence against women has spread into the digital world was also raised by Cllr Higgins who noted, “The digital realm provides another opportunity for women to be degraded, demeaned, persecuted and shamed. From online abuse and rape threats of women in particular professions such as politicians and journalists to the rise of revenge porn, from the online harassment and bullying of our teenagers in their bedrooms to other malicious AI generated content such as deep fake porn images, this worrying trend is having harmful impacts leading to spiralling rates of anxiety, depression, and in some cases, suicide. It is also causing women to leave professions such as politics and journalism as the abuse is simply not worth it. This is only going to get worse thanks to weak regulation in the technology space and the relentless march of AI.”

Cllr Higgins also referred to difficulties faced locally when she highlighted the lack of refuge facility for victims of domestic violence.

“There remains a chronic shortage of refuge spaces and unfortunately Sligo is one of the nine counties in Ireland without a domestic violence refuge. Faced with crippling rents and lack of suitable accommodation, this forces some women to consider the terrifying option of returning to the home they once shared with their abuser as they simply have nowhere to go. Their home, which should be a place of safety and peace, is turned into the prison of daily abuse.”

Looking for solutions to the serious issue Cllr Higgins expressed the belief that education is the key to eradicating this problem.

“For me, the solution is an all of government and all of society approach both in terms of education, prevention, provision of services for those affected by Domestic and GBV and greater enforcement and punishment for offenders.

What would this look like? We can take the lead from President Connolly who earlier today in speaking about violence against women said we, collectively as a society, need to ‘expose it, challenge it, and redress the profound harm it causes to those affected.’

“As a society, in our homes, schools and workplaces – we need to raise our boys better and provide positive male role models to counter the toxic masculinity which is unfortunately on the rise. We need to challenge behaviours and attitudes that lead to violence against women and girls including our societal norms which socialise our young girls to be the carers and people pleasers, and to advocate against the increased sexualisation of our young girls and women either through online gaming, social media, etc. We need to invest more in early youth diversion programmes, counselling services, play therapy for our children. We need comprehensive relationships and sexuality education in schools to reshape attitudes and promote healthy relationships.”

Cllr Higgins commented that she is hoping the introduction of cctv in some of Sligo's beauty spots will help women feel safer, noting that she has a motion before the next meeting of Sligo County Council which she hopes will address the issue.

“In trying to make Sligo a safer place for all to live, I have put down a motion at next week’s meeting of Sligo County Council calling for CCTV in the car parks of all our local forest walks so that everyone, but particularly women, can have a sense of security when using these glorious outdoor facilities.

“The Government has to act decisively and effectively to provide targeted funding initiatives and educational programmes. This evening, I am calling for more investment in prevention, protection, legislative reform, and policy co-ordination to ensure Ireland is a place where there is zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.