Assembly Committee Condemns Intimidation and Abuse Directed at Female Elected Representatives

An Assembly Committee has condemned the ongoing misogyny, intimidation and abuse towards female elected representatives - warning that such behaviour can discourage women from participating in public life and undermine democratic debate.

The issue was discussed by Members of the Committee for the Executive Office at their latest meeting (Wednesday 7 October).

Members agreed that such behaviour is unacceptable and must be challenged wherever it occurs. Paula Bradshaw MLA, Chairperson of the Committee underlined how important it was for them to publicly call out any such attacks on MPs, MLAs and others in public life – which were described as ‘disgraceful’. 

The Chair said: “This issue is particularly relevant to our ongoing scrutiny of the Executive's Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Strategy.  Tackling the harmful attitudes towards women must extend to all areas of society, including politics.  Misogyny towards female elected representatives is part of the wider societal challenge the EVAWG Strategy seeks to address.

“While we may not always agree on political issues, we should all be on the same page that abuse, intimidation and misogyny have no place in public life.

“When elected representatives, particularly women, are subjected to threats and sustained abuse, it risks discouraging participation and silencing voices. That is not just an attack on individuals, it is an attack on democracy itself."

The Committee will continue its scrutiny of the Executive's Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy as part of its forward work programme, including examining measures aimed at preventing violence, challenging harmful attitudes and supporting cultural change across society.

Ends

For further information, please contact Felicity Templeton, Assembly communications office felicity.templeton@niassembly.gov.uk  / 07977 635930

Notes to editors:

• A briefing paper on EVAWG, intended to inform the Committee for the Executive Office’s considerations and written by the Assembly’s Research and Information Service (RaISe) in June 2026, can be found here. 
• The Executive’s, End Violence Against Women and Girls: Strategic Framework 2024-2031 can be found here.