Men who kill partners ‘receive less jail time than killers of other women’

Men who kill their female partners receive less jail time than men who murder other women, according to analysis by Women’s Aid Ireland.

The national organisation supporting women experiencing domestic violence has now called for the existence of an intimate relationship to be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing.

The Women’s Aid Femicide Report 2017 points out that in cases of manslaughter, intimate partners are more likely to serve three years less in prison that other men who kill women.

Margaret Martin, director of Women’s Aid, said: “We publish our Femicide Watch Report 2017 to pause, and to remember and reflect, on the lives lost to male violence. Each woman murdered is an outrage. An absolute brutal loss of life. There is no greater violation of a woman’s human rights than the right to life itself.”

Ms Martin added: “Women’s Aid stands in solidarity with families, friends and communities of women murdered and with the many women currently living with abuse

“We remember those women murdered but where no perpetrator has been charged and the other cases yet to come to trial. Our thoughts are with their families who are waiting for justice. And we will continue this work to bring to light, what goes on behind closed doors in Ireland.”