Effective 6:00pm Sunday 31st March 2019, the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline will no longer be managed by Women’s Aid Federation NI. The Helpline will now be managed by NEXUS and the number will remain the same – 0808 802 1414. It will now be called the ‘Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline’.  Though the Helpline has changed, the vital work of Women’s Aid supporting women and children affected by domestic violence continues.

The helpline was established by Women’s Aid in 1995 and last year responded to 26,457 calls. Sarah Mason, CEO (Interim) with Women’s Aid Federation NI said, “We want to reassure all those affected by domestic violence that we will continue to provide expert support and services to women and children.”

“Women’s Aid is the lead agency working with women and children affected by domestic violence in Northern Ireland. Women’s Aid provides services including refuge and support in the local community, early intervention, prevention, education and awareness raising.”

“In 2017-2018, 717 women and 485 children stayed in our refuges in Northern Ireland. In the same year 6,385 women and 6,784 children were supported in the community by our outreach support services.”

One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Women’s Aid is working towards a society where domestic violence will not be tolerated, perpetrators will be held to account, and women and children can live free from the fear or threat of abuse.

Anyone experiencing domestic or sexual violence or abuse in Northern Ireland can call the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline on 0808 802 1414 or avail of web chat through https://dsahelpline.org/.

For further information about Women's Aid go to www.womensaidni.org.

What an honour! This money will be used to benefit the women and children we support in the community and our Refuge.

Thanks to the volunteers from Marks and Spencers, Skea Eggs, Strata group and Karro  who joined us for some food, refreshments and ice-cream! A great day was had by all and the children loved the face painting and balloon modelling!

Special thanks to Skea Eggs who have donated a picnic bench for our women and children to enjoy.

Tim O’Malley from Clanmill Housing Association arranged for Artist Marian Noonan to come along and create murals with the women and children in Refuge in the living areas (see pics). There was also a BBQ, pampering for the women and fun and games for the children.

We were blown away by their friendliness, kindness and passion in wanting to transform our living and quiet rooms and there was great craic on the day too!

As you can see from the pictures the project was a complete success!

Welcoming the Outreach Office the Mayor Councillor Sean McGuigan who wears the Women’s Aid white ribbon symbol, stated, “this outreach centre will provide much needed support for local people who find themselves the victims of domestic or sexual violence. The greatest attribute of Women’s Aid is that they not only meet the person at their point of need providing vital understanding, support and refuge but that they encourage the person to regain self-confidence, self-esteem and encourage to make changes which will lead to a brighter future.”

Domestic violence is a crime and Women’s Aid has received an ever increasing number of referrals from the Dungannon Council area in the last 5 years. Last year alone, Police responded to 476 domestic related incidents in the Dungannon area. The service has been set up for an initial period of 1 year in order gauge both demand and the viability of having this outreach base.

If you have suffered or are suffering domestic violence and would like accommodation, support or information, please contact us on 028 867 69300 during office hours or ring the 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence helpline number 0808 802 1414.

Welcoming the Outreach Office the Chair of Magherafelt District Council, Catherine Elatter, stated, “this outreach centre is a welcome initiative in the town where there is clearly an identified need for the support for local people who find themselves the victims of domestic or sexual violence. Women’s Aid provides life saving and life enhancing support to women, children and young people throughout the North and and it is great that this support is now even more accessible to the people of Maghera and the surrounding area.”

Although based in Maghera, staff will be able to travel throughout the Magherafelt Council area to provide this specialised support service, either in the individual’s own home or in a local, mutually agreed venue.”

Domestic violence is a crime and Women’s Aid has received an ever increasing number of referrals from the Magherafelt Council area in the last 5 years. Last year alone, PSNI responded to 434 domestic related incidents in this Council area. That is once every day, sometimes twice a day, to an incident that was serious enough to warrant a police callout.

If you have suffered or are suffering domestic or sexual violence and would like accommodation, support or information, please contact us on 028 867 69300 during office hours or ring the 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Violence helpline number 0808 802 1414, which is open to all women and men affected by domestic or sexual violence.