Construction industry unites to help tackle violence against women and girls
Partnership approach endorsed at Building Respect conference
The Building Respect conference took place on Thursday 7th May at the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim.
May 8, 2026: Construction leaders attended a first of its kind conference this week aimed at exploring practical steps the industry can take in adopting a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women and girls.
The Construction Employers Federation (CEF) partnered with WOMEN’STEC and Construction Futures to deliver Building Respect: Laying the Foundations for Change. The event, which took place at the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim on Thursday May 7, was sponsored by leading construction company, Gilbert-Ash.
Northern Ireland has some of the highest rates of domestic abuse and femicide in the UK and Europe with police reporting an incident approximately every 17 minutes.
Against this backdrop and with females making up around 15% of the local construction industry’s workforce, the event urged companies to play an active role in helping to end abuse, misogyny and harassment.
Building Respect heard from a world class line-up of speakers including Dr Sajjan Gohel, International Security Director at the Asia-Pacific Foundation, and globally renowned gender equality advocate, Jackson Katz.
Delegates heard from representatives of Longford Women’s Link who spoke about the current domestic violence situation in the Republic of Ireland.
There was also a series of informative workshops conducted by practitioners from four key partner organisations - White Ribbon NI, Women's Aid, the Labour Relations Agency and Lewis Silken.
CEF President, Bryan Vaugh, speaking at Building Respect
CEF President, Bryan Vaughan said the vision for the Building Respect conference was to bring focus to the role of the construction industry in championing respect, safety and awareness.
He said: “This is a major problem which society as a whole needs to find ways to resolve. No one sector alone can significantly move the dial on these shameful statistics, but by working together we can make meaningful improvements.
“There is no evidence to suggest the construction industry compares badly to other sectors when it comes to violence against women and girls, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a moral obligation to play our part in bringing about change.
“This conference has provided the platform for our industry to start an important conversation and to challenge ourselves.”
Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson, speaking at Building Respect
Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson said his company was proud to sponsor such an important event for the industry.
He said: “This is a societal problem, but our construction sector is represented right across society, so in many ways we are perfectly placed to start these important conversations and raise awareness.
“As an industry we must also work together as one to amplify the conversation around ending violence against women and girls and to create environments where misogyny is never tolerated.”
The event was also supported by a range of industry partners and organisations who contributed to workshops, exhibition spaces and awareness resources throughout the day.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, the following organisations can provide help and support.
In an emergency when you need immediate assistance phone the PSNI on 999. In a non-emergency when you need assistance or advice call 101. If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need support or information, you can contact your local Women’s Aid group Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Visit womensaidni.org for more information.
