DOMESTIC abuse is “a cancer in our society” and victims here will endure 30 attacks before they take action, Fermanagh-south Tyrone MLA Maurice Morrow has said.
The Democratic Unionist told the House that the statistic is both “sad and startling” and said the Assembly “must not just talk the talk, it has to walk the walk” in relation to addressing the issue. 
His comments come a fortnight after Fermanagh woman Tanya Donegan who suffered horrific injuries in a sustained assault by her former partner Damien Ingram urged other victims of domestic abuse to seek help before it is too late.
The mother of two from Newtownbutler told The Impartial Reporter how she was left fearing for her life as a result of a four hour brutal attack last August. Her injuries were so bad that hospital staff treating her thought she had been in a car accident. 
Speaking at Stormont, Lord Morrow said: “It is very difficult to pick up your local newspaper without reading about domestic abuse. It is all fine everybody here saying in harmony that something needs to be done... but actions always speak massively louder than words.”
He said victims have to be traumatised on an average of 30 occasions before they do anything.
“There must be a lack of confidence in the system if they do not feel that they can come forward and complain,” said Lord Morrow.
“I believe that, at the heart and root of much of this violence, there is one word: alcohol. It is alcohol abuse. That seems to be one of the drivers of this domestic violence. It is not entirely that, but I believe that it is very prevalent. 
“Let us show the world and our country that we are not just here to talk fine words but are here to do something about it,” he said, looking at Justice Minister Claire Sugden for assurances.
“We are all looking to her today to tell us in a very direct way what measures she intends to bring forward and how she will tackle this issue, because it is like a cancer in our society and has to be tackled,” he said.
In response, Minister Sugden said: “I am committed to enhancing the current justice system to encourage victims to come forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be protected not just from their abuser but from the trauma of re-victimisation.” In March 2016, following Executive endorsement, the Departments of Health and Justice published the stopping domestic and sexual violence and abuse strategy, a new strategy to address both issues. “The vision of the strategy is to have a society in Northern Ireland in which domestic and sexual violence are not tolerated in any form; where effective, tailored preventative and responsive services are provided; where all victims are supported; and where all perpetrators are held to account,” said Minister Sugden.