“My thoughts today are first and foremost with the women who suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Donaldson. They were children when he abused them, carried that pain and suffering for decades and then went through a gruelling trial, both in the courtroom and by the media. Whatever measure of justice came today, the survivors of his abuse won it themselves.”
“Their ordeal did not end at the courtroom door. Their anonymity was breached online and they were forced to watch as their abuse turned into a political spectacle. There are also other women who have come forward with allegations about Donaldson’s behaviour, including one who says she raised it with a senior party figure. Every one of them must be believed and supported.”
“The DUP’s line today that ‘justice has been done’ simply won’t wash. Abuse that went unpunished for up to four decades is not proof that the system works. Powerful men are shielded by parties that close ranks and by a culture of deference that silences women and children. A review commissioned by the DUP into itself can’t be trusted to uncover what was known and when.”
“Meaningful justice will take far more than one high-profile sentence. It means properly funding Women’s Aid and rape crisis services so women aren’t turned away from essential services. Crucially, it means building a movement from below to end gender-based violence and oppression, because these institutions have failed victims time and again.”