VP Welfare Adam McGibbon and MLA Anna Lo have spoken out about the latest alleged sex attack in the University area. Police are investigating an alleged rape which took place on Saturday morning. It was reported that a woman was viciously attacked by two men in an alleyway between Cromwell Road and Ireton Street between 12:30am and 1:30am. PSNI are currently appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.
BY KERRI-ANNE CAMPBELL
Anna Lo has urged women to be extra vigilant when going home at night in the university area, and has also called for PSNI to step up patrols at night.
She also stressed that the area is currently very quiet as most students have left for the summer holidays and this could make young women even more vulnerable to attack.
Sexual assault in the university area of South Belfast has been a continuing issue. VP Welfare and chairperson of the South Belfast Green Party, Adam McGibbon said, “It is a big concern. The university area is becoming more and more of a dangerous place.”
McGibbon stated that he is currently planning a number of campaigns in order to combat the problem and is hoping to work alongside Belfast City Council. As part of the campaign, it is hoped that in the near future, students will be able to use their student card in order to pay their taxi fee at a later date if they do not have the money at the time. If the campaign is successful, this would certainly ensure that every student has a safe way of getting home. McGibbon also encourages students to use the personal safety alarms which are available in the Students’ Union.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, last year 1,943 incidents of sexual assault were reported to the PSNI, of which 381 were alleged rapes. However, a report published earlier this month has revealed that only one in fifteen alleged rapes reported in Northern Ireland ends with a criminal conviction. As a result of this many rape victims refuse to report to the police.
Students, especially female, need to realise that it is not safe to be travelling home alone at night in the University area! Especially through dark alleyways! Far too many sexual assaults have occurred in the University area in recent years. It is tragic, but it is time to put a stop to it! Lets hope McGibbon is successful with his campaign. It would definitely make a difference.
Folks, anyone who thinks they need a free personal alarm can get one from behind the SU ground floor reception, or from any of the sabbatical officers. Please take one, they’re there for your use!
Personal alarms are a waste of time. It’s time for the students of the holylands to form some kind of night watch organisation. How many rapes have there been in the last few years, probably coming up to 20.
Its Outragous and clear that there exist no service or group within the area at the moment to protect the students.
Perhaps the local Ogra Sinn Fein could take the lead.
http://www.facebook.com/belfastholylands
Haha. Good one.
the students of the holylands couldn’t organise a bun fight in a bun factory, how are they ever going to organise a ‘night watch organisation’? Sure they’re all too drunk at night anyway!
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“Students, especially female, need to realise that it is not safe to be travelling home alone at night in the University area”. Surely men need to realise its not right to rape women. I personally try to avoid walking alone at night but its not always possible. We shouldn’t place the responsibility, and with this part of the blame, with the women. I should be able to walk home at whatever time, wearing whatever I want and having had a drink as well for that matter, and be safe from sexual assault. The entire blame should be placed with the perpetrator. Its a reflection of how screwed our society has it that we automatically ask why the woman was walking home alone at that time rather than asking why a man would think it was ok to rape her.
This is utterly insane. No-one is putting any moral blame on the victim, but instead it is saying that if a girl walks home alone there is a significant chance she will get raped.
Just as if you walk with a bag full of money through an LA ghetto you will be robbed, doesn’t make it your moral fault, but it was a poor decision on your half.
Surely you can see the difference? Or shall we offer no women advice on preventing rape, becuase, it is the mans fault?
Wow, you ultra-feminist’s really are a womens worst enemy sometime
Belfast Holylands: surely if someone sets of a rape alarm in th holylands anyone who would join such a night watch group can go and help stop the attack?