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  • Domestic and Sexual Violence

    Topics:
    • Health policy, 
    • Social Care Policy, 
    • Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk of harm from abuse, exploitation and neglect

    Domestic violence or abuse is when an adult child, parent, other close family member or partner make you feel afraid by threatening you; injuring you; controlling you.

    You don’t have to be physically hurt to be a victim. The abuse could be emotional abuse where you are constantly being sworn at, teased or told you’re unwanted. It doesn’t matter how old someone is, what race or ethnicity they are, what class they are, whether or not they are disabled, or whether they have children – anyone can be a victim of abuse.

    Domestic abuse isn’t a one off – it usually happens again and again where the abusive partner will try a number of different things to try and gain control. It typically gets worse over time, and for many, it can continue after the relationship has ended.

    Sexual Violence and Abuse

    Sexual violence or abuse is sexual behaviour you don’t want to do, don’t agree to do or don’t understand. Sexual violence and abuse includes any behaviour (physical, psychological, verbal, virtual/online) perceived to be of a sexual nature which is controlling, coercive, exploitative, harmful, or unwanted that is inflicted on anyone (irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any form of disability). Coercive, exploitative and harmful behaviour includes taking advantage of an individual’s incapacity to give informed consent.

    Further information can be found on NI Direct website.

    How to Get Help

    You can get help by contacting:

    Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline

    Telephone: 0808 802 1414

    Email: info@dsahelpline.org

    Police Service of Northern Ireland

    https://www.psni.police.uk/crime/domestic-abuse

    https://www.psni.police.uk/crime/sexual-violence-and-abuse

    Tel: 999 (in case of an emergency)

    Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Strategy & Related Publications

    • Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland Strategy
    • Guidance developed for employers on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse

    Useful contacts

    Domestic Violence Helplines

    Northern Ireland 24-hour Free-phone Helpline - 0808 8021414

    Republic of Ireland Helpline - 1800 341900

    Scottish 24-hour Helpline - 0800 027 1234

    English 24-hour Helpline - 0808 200 0247

    Welsh 24-hour Helpline - 08457 023 468

    Local Women’s Aid Centres

    Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey – 028 2563 2136

    Armagh Down- 028 3025 0765

    Belfast and Lisburn – 028 9066 6049

    Causeway – 028 7035 6573

    Fermanagh – 028 6632 8898

    Foyle – 028 7141 6800

    North Down and Ards – 028 9127 3196

    Mid Ulster – 028 8676 9300

    Omagh – 028 8224 1414

    Men’s Organisations

    Men’s Advisory Project (MAP) - 02890 241929

    Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Helplines

    Cara Friend

    Rainbow Project - 02890 319030

    Other useful numbers

    Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre - 028 9032 9002

    Nexus - 028 9032 6803

    Victim Support - 028 90243133

    Disability Action - 028 9029 7880

    Citizen’s Advice Bureau - 0300 1233233

    Law Society (Legal and Local Solicitor Advice) 02890 231614

    Opportunity Now - 02075 668650

    Relate - 02890 323454

    Samaritans - Freephone – 116123

    Parents Helpline Freephone - 0808 8010 722

    Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission - 02890 408888

    Age Concern Northern Ireland - 0808 8087575

    Children In Northern Ireland - 02890 40 1290

    Irish Congress of Trade Unions - 02890 247940

    Related content

    • Adult Safeguarding: Prevention and Protection in Partnership
    • DoH PSS Training Policy Officer
    • Regional Child Protection Procedures
    • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups - Disclosure and Barring Service
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