A campaign has been launched following ‘terrifying’ statistics on domestic abuse in Northern Ireland
A boxing club has launched a campaign to help put a stop to violence against women and girls. Amy Stewart, the programme coordinator at Monkstown Boxing Club, started the project due to the “terrifying” statistics on domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.
She said: “This has always been something we’ve been doing subconsciously as an organisation, by promoting moral values and respect and how you carry yourself.
“But this is where we’re at in 2025. It’s always been an issue, but now there’s context and stats to show how big of a problem it really is.
“It’s a societal issue, and if we don’t do something to change it, then nothing is going to get better.”
In recent years, the boxing club has acted as a community hub, with many programmes operating to help children and teenagers in the area.
Amy thinks that the image of a boxing club speaking on issues of gender equality acts as a strength to the project.
She added: “What’s unique about our organisation is when you see violence against women and girls being attached to a boxing club, people are naturally more intrigued.
“As an organisation and an environment that can be quite male-dominated, our staff are incredibly passionate about people having conversations on gender equality.
“Sometimes the messaging can land a bit more if it’s done by a coach, or from someone young people look up to.”
The project involves giving workshops to both male and female participants, discussing empowerment, education and relationship exploration to explore the root causes of violence.
“These statistics are going to be the normality for the younger generation coming through.”
“Not every young person has bad attitudes, and not all young men have violent tendencies towards young women, but that’s not what the project is about.
“It’s about getting young men to explore positive versions of masculinity, and to talk about the likes of Andrew Tate and Conor McGregor, and to challenge those things that can be quite contentious.
“It’s all they see on social media, and when you’re a young person your brain isn’t fully developed yet, so these things can influence whether they think it or not. It’s important we try and rewire some of that thinking.”
The project, which is funded by the Change Fund by the Northern Ireland Executive Office and Antrim and Newtonabbey Borough Council, also examines other forms of abuse.
Amy said: “With domestic violence, everyone automatically jumps to the violent side of it, but people don’t understand that the emotional and manipulative abuse is just as bad if not worse.
“People can be oblivious to that abuse, and for me it’s important we raise awareness and normalise calling out these things for what they are. If we’re going to end violence against women and girls, then we need to talk about all forms of abuse, not just physical.”
Amy also stated the response to the workshop has been, “really encouraging”.
She added: “There hasn’t been resistance from any male or females, and if anything there’s been a real synergy about bringing people into these spaces and having them speak together.
“I had a young man say to me that he has a mum who he loves and he would never ever think of being violent towards a woman or girl, and that’s what this is about. Not all men are going to think violently towards women, but it’s up for men to challenge those thoughts and not be a bystander.”
“I never want young women within this community to suffer, and if I can do something to educate and challenge these norms, and most importantly empower young women, then it’s obviously worth talking about.”
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