Women TDs call on men to ‘take stand’ against gender-based violence

Women politicians have expressed horror at the violent death of Ashling Murphy and said there needs to be a focus on the perpetrators of such crimes, for men to "take a stand" and "call out" abuse of women and for greater education on the issue for boys.

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation after Ms Murphy, a primary school teacher, was attacked and killed while out for a run along the canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee described it as a “shocking crime” and said the Garda will ensure justice is done.

The incident has prompted a huge political response, particularly among women TDs angered and frustrated by the killing.

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Ms McEntee remarked how Ms Murphy had gone out for a run in broad daylight in a well-known area where people felt safe.

“This is why it is every woman’s worst nightmare and every family’s worst nightmare,” she said. “More generally, the issue that we now face around women feeling safe, we need to make sure that we listen to this, that we take all of this on board, that as a society we come together to deal with this issue.”

Labour Party TD Ivana Bacik told The Irish Times what happened is "devastating" and everyone is thinking about Ms Murphy's family and friends.

She spoke of her concern at gender-based violence in Ireland and how there have been "very high levels of assaults and violence and assaults against women perpetrated by men over many years".

Ms Bacik said she will be attending a National Women’s Council of Ireland vigil in memory of Ms Murphy outside the Dáil in Dublin on Friday at 4pm.

She encouraged others, including men, to attend “to form a critical mass to show our condemnation of violence against women”.

Ms Bacik also said there is a need for a greater awareness among men at the issues faced by women.

“All too often we’re advising women and girls to look out for yourselves. Take steps, don’t walk at night.” She said there should be “more of a focus on perpetrator behaviour and on education of men and boys”.

She added that there is a “huge issue around access to porn online for young boys. That’s clearly building into a culture where violence against women is acceptable.”

Ms Bacik said that men need to “take a stand on this” adding: “There’s an uncomfortable sense often – and it emerged in the #MeToo movement – that men and boys are simply not aware of the everyday sexism and everyday harassment that women and girls have suffered and endured.”

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said the attack on Ms Murphy has left the "whole country reeling".

She said she is hearing calls in the media for more gardaí, for safety apps for women and for personal alarm systems for women. However, Ms Whitmore said none of these suggestions will solve the problem.

She said: “The only way that we can solve this issue and actually make sure that women feel safe when they are out and about or in their own homes doing their own business is actually by ensuring that we have talks with our young boys, we have talks with our young men and our older men and tell them that it is not okay to disrespect, degrade, attack, see women as their own possessions.”

She added: “I would say for all those men out there who are equally as horrified and shocked by what happened that you too have a role in this.

“You need to call it out when you see men disrespecting and degrading women you need to call it out. When you see men being physically disrespectful or abusive to women you need to call it out.

“We all have to stand against this.”

‘Fundamental change’

The Wicklow TD said: “It is a fundamental change in our culture that we need. Not just additional resources.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the attack was “horrific”, adding: “A young woman’s life brutally stolen. In broad daylight. In a busy place. A nightmare for a family, friends and community.”

Fine Gael Minister of State Josepha Madigan offered her sympathies to Ms Murphy's family and said: "A young woman can't even go for a run along a canal pathway at four o'clock in the middle of the day only to be attacked and murdered . . . We urgently need to address why we live in a country where this can happen."

Laois-Offaly Independent TD Carol Nolan said she is "shocked and saddened" at the attack in her constituency and her thoughts and prayers are with Ms Murphy's family and friends.

Fianna Fáil Minster of State Mary Butler called the attack "shocking and sickening" while Minister for Education Norma Foley offered her "heartfelt and sincere sympathy to the family friends and school community of Ashling Murphy".