Latest news with #Komuves
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Victim with 'hole in her face' says former partner blamed her
A woman who suffered a broken jaw and teeth after being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend said she was blamed by him for the attack. "I went to the mirror. My teeth were hanging on by threads from my gums...I could hardly speak; I could only just use my lips. I said to him, 'Do you realise you have ruined my life?' and he said, 'You can thank yourself'." Eva Komuves was speaking at the launch of a new campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Power to Change campaign aims to address the attitudes of men and boys towards women and girls in Northern Ireland. The campaign is being backed by the PSNI, the Department of Justice (DoJ), and the Stormont executive. Warning: This content contains images and descriptions that some readers may find upsetting Ms Komuves is a survivor of physical and psychological violence at the hands of her former partner, who has pleaded guilty to a number of charges and will be sentenced in February. She said her abuse didn't start with violence; it began with words. "He was criticising my work, my hobbies, my daily routine, and my eating habits. He was controlling my circle of friends. He criticised the way I dressed." "When I raised it as an issue, he said I was attacking him. He made me feel guilty." Eva said her former partner would "raise his voice", and "when he didn't like what I said he started to punch a chair, a wall". She said when she confronted her partner about being on dating sites, he punched her for the first time. "He said he would never hit me again," she said, but added that he would raise his fist to her face during confrontation. "In a text message he said, 'I would never hit you again, but I enjoy watching you flinch.'" She recounted another attack when he punched her and she fell. "I had bruises on my legs and hip. I stood up...I felt I was bleeding...I felt that my mouth was full, that I had a hole in my face. The campaign has published a series of films and advertising, urging men and boys to reflect on their actions and language to promote a cultural change. One film shows a man harassing a woman in the gym and being challenged by another man. Another depicts two friends discussing online interactions with a girl and sending her unsolicited sexual images. Ms Komuves has had numerous treatments and dental surgeries due to the attack in which her jaw and some of her teeth were broken. But she told the audience at the launch of the campaign that when she looks in the mirror now she sees "a strong woman who stood up and broke the cycle". Speaking about the culture of abuse in Northern Ireland, she said "lad culture" is accepted and "it shouldn't be". "It has gone unchallenged for too long. "We assume that boys are educated on how to speak to women and not treat them as objects, but they are not," she added. Between January 2019 and December 2024, 32 women and girls across Northern Ireland were killed by men. PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher said there had been a blind spot in how policing dealt with domestic abuse in the past, but the force is now committed to ending VAWG. "This is about empowering men and boys, not isolating them. "It's time that we men reflected on our own behaviours and attitudes." Boutcher said: "Women are not responsible for preventing harassment or misogyny against not right." Justice Minister Naomi Long said "much work has been done" by the DoJ to "help make Northern Ireland a safer place for women and girls". She added that we need to change "attitudes that permit and enable unacceptable behaviours". First Minister Michelle O'Neill praised Eva for speaking out and said the campaign is "another important step forward in our collective effort to end violence against women and girls".
BBC News
29-01-2025
- BBC News
VAWG: Victim with 'hole in her face' says attacker blamed her
A woman who suffered a broken jaw and teeth after being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend said she was blamed by him for the attack."I went to the mirror. My teeth were hanging on by threads from my gums...I could hardly speak; I could only just use my lips. I said to him, 'Do you realise you have ruined my life?' and he said, 'You can thank yourself'."Eva Komuves was speaking at the launch of a new campaign aimed at ending violence against women and girls (VAWG). The Power to Change campaign aims to address the attitudes of men and boys towards women and girls in Northern campaign is being backed by the PSNI, the Department of Justice (DoJ), and the Stormont executive. Warning: This content contains images and descriptions that some readers may find upsetting Ms Komuves is a survivor of physical and psychological violence at the hands of her former partner, who has pleaded guilty to a number of charges and will be sentenced in February. She said her abuse didn't start with violence; it began with words."He was criticising my work, my hobbies, my daily routine, and my eating habits. He was controlling my circle of friends. He criticised the way I dressed.""When I raised it as an issue, he said I was attacking him. He made me feel guilty."Eva said her former partner would "raise his voice", and "when he didn't like what I said he started to punch a chair, a wall". 'I had a hole in my face' She said when she confronted her partner about being on dating sites, he punched her for the first time. "He said he would never hit me again," she said, but added that he would raise his fist to her face during confrontation. "In a text message he said, 'I would never hit you again, but I enjoy watching you flinch.'"She recounted another attack when he punched her and she fell. "I had bruises on my legs and hip. I stood up...I felt I was bleeding...I felt that my mouth was full, that I had a hole in my face. The campaign has published a series of films and advertising, urging men and boys to reflect on their actions and language to promote a cultural change. One film shows a man harassing a woman in the gym and being challenged by another depicts two friends discussing online interactions with a girl and sending her unsolicited sexual images. ' I broke the cycle' Ms Komuves has had numerous treatments and dental surgeries due to the attack in which her jaw and some of her teeth were she told the audience at the launch of the campaign that when she looks in the mirror now she sees "a strong woman who stood up and broke the cycle". Speaking about the culture of abuse in Northern Ireland, she said "lad culture" is accepted and "it shouldn't be"."It has gone unchallenged for too long. "We assume that boys are educated on how to speak to women and not treat them as objects, but they are not," she added. Between January 2019 and December 2024, 32 women and girls across Northern Ireland were killed by men. 'Men must reflect on behaviour' PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher said there had been a blind spot in how policing dealt with domestic abuse in the past, but the force is now committed to ending VAWG."This is about empowering men and boys, not isolating them."It's time that we men reflected on our own behaviours and attitudes."Boutcher said: "Women are not responsible for preventing harassment or misogyny against not right."Justice Minister Naomi Long said "much work has been done" by the DoJ to "help make Northern Ireland a safer place for women and girls".She added that we need to change "attitudes that permit and enable unacceptable behaviours". First Minister Michelle O'Neill praised Eva for speaking out and said the campaign is "another important step forward in our collective effort to end violence against women and girls".
The Independent
29-01-2025
- The Independent
Domestic violence victim calls for end to lad culture as new campaign launched
A victim of domestic violence who had her jaw broken by an abusive partner has called for an end to the lad culture in Northern Ireland as she backed a new campaign to tackle misogynistic behaviours. Eva Komuves suffered severe facial injuries in the attack in August 2023. Five of her teeth were knocked out and her jaw and palate were fractured. Her ex-partner had previously broken her nose in an incident in 2021. He recently pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and common assault and is currently awaiting sentencing. Ms Komuves, from east Belfast, recounted her experiences in vivid detail at the launch of the Power to Change campaign in Belfast. She said she hoped sharing her story would inspire other victims to seek support. 'Unfortunately my story is far from unique,' she said. 'In Northern Ireland, too many women and girls have suffered terribly at the hands of men. Many others have faced harassment on the street or in the workplace or been the subject of sexist jokes. 'These behaviours tend to go unchallenged because we rationalise as a society that they aren't committing a crime. 'The lad culture in Northern Ireland is accepted and it shouldn't be. It only feeds the confidence that misogynistic men have to further their negative behaviours towards women and girls, and I'm speaking from experience.' Ms Komuves received a standing ovation from the audience at the Cineworld launch venue after sharing her story. 'I hope that this campaign helps men and boys to feel brave enough not to follow the crowds and to be the voice for women and girls,' she said. 'As a society, it's about time that we stood up for what is right. When I look in the mirror now, I see a strong woman, I see someone who chose to stand up and break the cycle. 'I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others to find the courage to do the same.' The Power to Change campaign, which is backed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Stormont's Department of Justice and Executive Office, aims to challenge men and boys to change their attitudes towards women and girls and call out inappropriate behaviour if they witness it. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher was joined by First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Justice minister Naomi Long and junior minister Pam Cameron at the event in Cineworld in the SSE Arena on Wednesday. The launch reflected on rates of femicide in Northern Ireland, where 32 women and girls have been killed by men in the last five years. The campaign focuses on negative male attitudes and behaviours towards females in society and challenges men and boys to help bring about a societal shift. It seeks to empower males to safely intervene to challenge inappropriate actions or unwanted comments. The campaign will see a series of graphics and four scenario-based videos showcased on social media through targeted ads aimed at men and boys. It will also be visible across the region on buses, in washrooms of hospitality venues, digital posters and billboards. The lad culture in Northern Ireland is accepted and it shouldn't be. It only feeds the confidence that misogynistic men have to further their negative behaviours towards women and girls, and I'm speaking from experience Eva Komuves Mr Boutcher said the aim was to empower men and boys, not isolate them. 'It's time that we men reflected on our own behaviours and attitudes – and those of our friends, family and colleagues – towards women and girls in order to prevent offending and make our society a safer place,' he said. 'Women are not responsible for preventing harassment or misogyny against them. For too long we have communicated ways in which they can keep themselves safe. It's not right. 'Yes, not all men behave in an inappropriate way towards women and girls but at some point, all have stood back and said nothing while it's happened right in front of them. 'What can men do? Power to Change asks them to think about the impact their behaviour or their friend's behaviour has on women and girls, and how to step in. Be the person who has that quiet word with a friend or checks if the woman is ok. Encourage them not to do something that they regret. 'This campaign is holding up a mirror to harassing and degrading behaviours that impact women and girls in our communities and focuses on a solution – it's up to men to step up now and to stop offending before it starts.' First Minister Ms O'Neill described the campaign as another 'important step forward' in the collective effort to end violence against women and girls. 'Initiatives such as this, and the Change Fund which was launched recently by the Executive Office, focus on bringing real change across our society,' she said. We need to focus on prevention and tackling the underlying causes of violence before it starts and this campaign is part of that wider society approach Emma Little-Pengelly 'Dealing with this issue requires tackling the root causes – such as the misogynistic behaviour and harmful attitudes that are all too prevalent. 'I welcome the fact this campaign will encourage men and boys to think about the way they treat and talk to women so that they feel safe and respected.' Deputy First Minister Ms Little-Pengelly, who was unable to attend the launch event in person, also welcomed the initiative. 'The recent murders of women here are a tragic reminder of the consequences of toxic attitudes and the devastating harm caused by violence against women and girls,' she said in a statement. 'We need to focus on prevention and tackling the underlying causes of violence before it starts and this campaign is part of that wider society approach. 'By working together, we can bring about the meaningful change we all want to see. We can create a better society where violence against women and girls is never accepted and where everyone is safe.' Justice minister Ms Long said while legislation could help police take action against abusers, it was vital to 'go upstream' and change the attitudes that 'permit and enable unacceptable behaviours in the first place'. 'A zero-tolerance approach to abuse, misogyny and harassment is essential and that can only be achieved when each of us steps up and intervenes when we see examples of inappropriate behaviour,' she said.
