NI Secretary praises "vital work" of Foyle Family Justice Centre

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh hosted the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn, when he visited the Guildhall this week to sign the Book of Condolence for Amy Doherty.

The Secretary of State also attended a private meeting with the Mayor and officials to discuss the issue of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) and the work being done at a local level by the Council with others to support the aims of the NI Executive’s EVAWG programme, that was launched by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in 2024.

The meeting was an opportunity to inform the Secretary of State about the work being done across the Council area and to share with him the positive impact EVAWG funding has had to support community led prevention, awareness, and support initiatives.

The Mayor Cllr Ruairí McHugh thanked the Secretary of State for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the city and sign the Book of Condolence.

He said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Secretary of State Hilary Benn for coming to the city and signing the Book of Condolence in memory of Amy Doherty and showing his support to her family and the wider community at this very difficult time.

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"We really appreciated his visit and the opportunity to share with him the important role played by Council in supporting the Government’s Northern Ireland Executive’s EVAWG Strategic Framework and our continued commitment to supporting community-led initiatives to help foster a culture of safety, respect, and equality across the district. “

Mr Benn said: “Violence against women and girls is a scourge on our society. My thoughts are with Amy’s family and with all those who have been left devastated by domestic violence and murder.

“This is a national emergency that calls on all of us to act.  During my visit to Derry I met with the Foyle Family Justice Centre to hear about their work to support the victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

“The UK Government will continue to support the Northern Ireland Executive in their efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, provide services for victims and survivors and hold perpetrators to account.”