JERSEY still has “a long way to go” in tackling violence against women and girls, campaigners have warned after an Islander was convicted of a “serious and prolonged” assault on a woman he had met on a dating app just two days earlier.

The warning came after Conor James was found guilty by majority verdict on Thursday of committing a grave and criminal assault on the woman at her St Helier flat during the early hours of 16 March 2025.

The woman, who had matched with James on the dating app Hinge only two days before the assault, told the court she had been left “genuinely fearing for her life”.

She suffered extensive injuries, including bruising and swelling to her face and head, a cut to her lip, marks to her neck and bruising to other parts of her body – an attack that led presiding Commissioner Caroline Wright to warn James to begin contemplating an “immediate custodial sentence” when he returns for sentencing.

Responding to the verdict, Freeda chief executive and Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce chair Kate Wright told the JEP that the case was an “important reminder that violence against women and girls can happen anywhere” – including “in the context of what begins as an ordinary date”.

“My thoughts are first and foremost with the survivor,” she said. “Reporting abuse, supporting a police investigation and seeing a case through to court takes incredibly courage.

“Even more so, in some ways, in a small Island community like ours – and I really hope Thursday’s outcome brings some measure of justice to her.

“I would also like to acknowledge and thank the States of Jersey police and everyone involved in bringing this case before the court.”

Ms Wright emphasised that her day-to-day work at the helm of Freeda pointed to “tremendous progress in strengthening our Island’s response to abuse”.

“But cases like this,” she said, “remind us that our work is so far from over”.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe in their relationships and in their community”, she continued.

“Preventing violence against women and girls requires all of us to recognise the warning signs, challenge harmful attitudes, and ensure survivors know they will be believed and supported.

“This conviction matters not only because it delivers accountability in one case, but because every survivor who sees justice done may find hope that they too can be heard – whether you are reporting a crime to the police or accessing services like Freeda, JDAS and JAAR for support.”

St Saviour Deputy Louise Doublet told the JEP that a “cultural change” needs to happen to across Jersey to put an end to male violence against women and girls.

“We have made great progress in the Assembly with the new legislation designed to tackle violence against women and girls when it occurs, but what we really need in Jersey is cultural change.

“For that to happen, we need men to be part of this. Male allies have an extremely important role to play here.”

She also pointed out that women remain “most at risk of experiencing male violence in their own home”.

“Whilst it may seem instinctively riskier having someone unknown in your home, actually around 65% of sexual offences on women are committed by either a male partner or a male relative, including rape,” she commented.

“This data seems scary, but it is a fact, and talking about it could help to start conversations with men on our Island who want to be a part of ending male violence.”

Speaking as she was formally confirmed as Justice and Home Affairs Minister yesterday, Senator Helen Miles (read more about ministerial nominations on pages 8 and 9 of today’s JEP) – who previously held the post between 2022 and 2024 – said: “I was pleased to establish Jersey’s Violence Against Women and Girls Task Force, and I commend my successor, Senator Mary Le Hegarat, for her focus on the recommendations and for the introductions of key legislation to tackle this issue.

“As the baton is handed back to me, I want to ensure that that work continues to deliver meaningful improvements, supporting victims and survivors, holding perpetrators to account, improving education and awareness, strengthening partnership work across agencies, and ensuring that every woman and girl in Jersey can live free from fear.”