Katie Simpson, a 21-year-old woman, tragically passed away six days after being admitted to hospital in Londonderry in August 2020. An investigation into her death has sparked accusations of institutional misogyny within the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The allegations have been made by Simpson's family and supporters who claim that the PSNI's handling of the situation was inadequate.
According to reports, Simpson was admitted to hospital after a car accident, but her family has raised concerns that the PSNI's initial response to the incident was inadequate. The family has also claimed that the PSNI's handling of the investigation into Simpson's death was marred by 'institutional misogyny', which they believe contributed to her tragic demise.
The PSNI has confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Simpson's hospital admission is underway. The investigation will examine the actions of the PSNI officers who responded to the incident, as well as the hospital's treatment of Simpson. The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has also launched an investigation into the matter.
The allegations of institutional misogyny within the PSNI have been met with concern from politicians across the region. Sinn Féin's policing spokesperson, Gerry Kelly, has called for a full investigation into the PSNI's handling of the situation, saying: 'It's essential that we get to the truth of what happened to Katie Simpson and that we learn from any mistakes that were made.'
The PSNI has faced criticism in the past over its handling of cases involving female victims. In 2019, the Police Ombudsman's office found that the PSNI had failed to investigate a sufficient number of cases involving female victims of domestic abuse.