Violence Against Women – The Murder of Ashling Murphy

The broad daylight murder of Ashling Murphy, 23-year-old beloved primary school teacher, jogging in her hometown of Tullamore, Co. Offaly sent shock waves through the entire country of Ireland and beyond. It was yet another wake-up call that violence against women is increasing – an awareness made visible in the vigils for Ashling held across Ireland.

I’ve written about abuse and violence against women in nonfiction and fiction, exploring the levels of both that women experience. Survivors often keep their experiences secret, indicative of how they believe the truth will be construed even by those they love. At the heart of such decisions is an awareness of what Taoiseach Micheál Martin described as existing beneath violence against women – “the whole culture of misogyny.”

By coming together at vigils or by placing candles in our windows, light will be focused on why this keeps happening. We know it is not just one thing but, as  journalist Dearbhail McDonald mentioned on Prime Time with Miriam O’Callaghan, a mix of culture, attitudes, and beliefs. And as Josepha Madigan, Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, explained, it’s important to look even at conversations with regard to women and how they connect to violence. We can’t leave any stones unturned if women are to be made safer. We must know what all and each of us can do to stem this tide of violence.

It is with immeasurable sadness that we mourn Ashling Murphy. What we take from this unfathomable loss and how long we keep it in the forefront of the minds of those who can make a difference will determine whether change occurs. Me Too attention on violence against women has waned. This gives perpetrators a window, a chance to harm or kill yet again. 

We’re all busy and attention necessarily shifts, but it is possible to assure that Ashling and the women whose lives were taken before her stay in our minds. The media, government, and each of us can help slam shut the window through which perpetrators of crime against women have all too often crawled. It is the least we can do.