The partner of Natalie McNally, who was 15 weeks pregnant, received a guilty verdict for her murder in a courtroom this week. The incident occurred in Northern Ireland. McNally's brother Declan McNally called violence against women and girls the shame of society.

Amy Doherty, a mother of two, was murdered the previous day. A man faces arrest on suspicion of that crime. These cases form part of a total of 30 women violently killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. In all but one case, the perpetrator or suspect was male. Most perpetrators knew the women.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn described Northern Ireland as the most dangerous place in the UK for women. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly stated the issue horrifies her and should anger everyone.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher reported 22,000 calls about violence against women and girls over 11 months. The devolved government launched its Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy in 2024.

Dr Conor Murray, senior lecturer in criminology at Ulster University, linked normalized violence to the Troubles period, during which more than 3,500 people died. He called for addressing transgenerational trauma, mental health issues, self-harm, and suicide.