By Sammie Jones-
Victims of domestic violence in Northern Ireland need more protection after it has been revealed that six women in Northern Ireland have been murdered since 2015 despite previously reporting their violent partners to the police.
One woman contacted the police eight times before she was killed, figures obtained by BBC News NI showed. The worrying statistics is a shame to Northern Irish police, and calls for more stringent action to address the problem.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) released the figures to the BBC following a freedom of information request, said it would welcome more protection in law for victims of domestic abuse.
Det Ch Insp Lindsay Fisher said: “In terms of legislation, police are very much bound by and uphold the law.
“Therefore we are always acting within the law in terms of our response to domestic abuse matters or any other crime.
The family of one of the women said tougher legislation is needed to protect women. A new bill to strengthen NI’s domestic abuse legislation is currently being considered by the assembly.
Her brother Fergal said police needed to be given stronger powers to tackle domestic violence.
He told the BBC: “There are a number of matters I feel that could have been acted on and may have saved Connie’s life.”
“The last person in the world that I thought something would have happened to is Connie.”
Ms Leonard and her son Conor, who has Down’s syndrome, were attacked by 55-year-old Peadar Phair, a former partner of Ms Leonard.
She had reported Phair three times before she was murdered and she had taken out a non-molestation order against him.
Connie Leonard was stabbed to death in front of her son. Mr Leonard said police must “know what their powers are and that they use these powers effectively”.
There must be “proper monitoring and following up” and officers must know “what actions they are supposed to take”.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which released the figures to the BBC following a freedom of information request, said it would welcome more protection in law for victims of domestic abuse.
Det Ch Insp Lindsay Fisher said: “In terms of legislation, police are very much bound by and uphold the law.
“Therefore we are always acting within the law in terms of our response to domestic abuse matters or any other crime.
“Police would welcome any further legislation that would support victims of domestic abuse and would seek to bring offenders to justice.”
Det Ch Insp Fisher urged anyone suffering from abuse to “reach out to police or to a family member”.
She added: “The PSNI is here to help victims of domestic abuse and we do have enhanced support services in place.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long said the process of strengthening NI’s laws is under way.
She said she was considering the introduction of Domestic Violence Protection Orders, which allow police in other parts of the UK to intervene where they believe a person to be at risk, but do not have enough evidence to bring a criminal charge.
She said: “I have signed off last night on a consultation process on domestic abuse protection notices and orders. That will happen over the next number of weeks.”