Latest figures show that 30 women have been killed by men over the past five years, with the new wave dominating the news in the past weeks. The vast majority are killed in their own homes and by men they know.

While it is difficult to obtain exact figures, women in Northern Ireland are twice as likely to be murdered as a result of domestic violence compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. Estimates on femicide from 2022 indicated Northern Ireland is one of the most dangerous places for women to live in Europe, second only to Romania.

The recent femicides have caused widespread shock and unease, prompting a search for answers. While domestic violence against women is a global public health issue affecting millions of women across the globe, some point to the somewhat unique context in Northern Ireland as a factor in understanding the issue.

Northern Ireland is a post-conflict society which, research shows, heightened domestic violence. While decades of violence during the Troubles between nationalist and unionist communities ended with the 1998 peace agreement, it carried on in the private sphere due to the lingering trauma.

A 2011 study estimated that nearly 40% of the population experienced a Troubles-related traumatic event, with PTSD rates among the highest recorded globally. The ongoing effects of this trauma remain largely unaddressed due to historical silence to promote peace between communities and a lack of specialised care for victims, leading to a higher rate of mental health issues.

Another factor tied to the legacy of the conflict is the continued presence of paramilitaries in some communities, where intimidation, fear, and coercive control – often targeting women – remain common strategies. A culture of fear of reprisal and mistrust of the police, both lingering effects of the conflict, further complicates the reporting of domestic violence.

Last September, Northern Ireland introduced a strategic Framework to target gender-based violence: it was the last of the UK and Ireland to do so. Part of the reason for that delay is the province's recent political instability, which affected every part of Northern Irish society.

As in any other country, a large part of the work aimed at reducing gender-based or intimate partner violence involves addressing attitudes toward women. However, Northern Ireland's unique context also requires tailored solutions. For women who are victims of paramilitary members' violence, for example, a major challenge is encouraging them to go to the police despite threats of reprisal against them or their loved ones.