Last year, we supported 72 women ages 60 and over. MANY MORE are suffering in silence. Media reports have highlighted a surge in domestic abuse incidents on women and children but many older women are also at significant risk, with lockdown restrictions exacerbating this. There are many barriers to older women seeking help. We know […]

We are delighted to launch a NEW web chat service for women suffering domestic and sexual abuse. ~ UPDATE 8th January 2021 ~ The Web Chat service is now available 9am until 4pm Monday to Friday, with a break daily between 1pm and 2pm. The Web Chat will allow women to access immediate support and […]

The current lockdown is a challenging time of many of us. For children and young people, it can be particularly daunting. Which is why our expert Children & Young Person Workers have compiled this information and resource page we hope mums, children and young people find useful.   Children Under 5s (and mums!)  Mums, Covid […]

We are launching our poster campaign to reach women who are who are stuck inside their homes and experiencing domestic abuse, including physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse.   If you own or work in a shop that is still open, help us reach women by placing one of our posters in the shop window. […]

Women’s Aid welcome the introduction of the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill in Northern Ireland which received its first reading in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday 31st March.  Women’s Aid have been campaigning for legislation in relation to coercive and controlling behaviour for many years to bring NI into line with the rest […]

Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid delivers the IRIS programme (Identification and Referral to Improve Safety), which is being piloted in East Belfast and the Newry and Mourne areas. IRIS it is a general practice-based domestic violence and abuse (DVA) training, support and referral programme. IRIS ensures that primary care practitioners can respond effectively to domestic […]

We would like to reassure women and our key partners that we here and will continue to do everything we can to support you during this challenging time. We have included some important information regarding our services at this time. You will also find a safety plan for women who may be at risk, which […]

In Northern Ireland, we have seen progression over a number of years in terms of how society views domestic violence. Domestic violence is a serious crime which we know often goes unreported. We are, however, encouraged to see more and more women coming forward to report domestic violence and seek support. Our Conference “Changing the […]

“Women’s Aid commends Sir John Gillen and the review team for this thorough exploration of the criminal justice process in sexual violence cases and the culture in which it operates. We are extremely encouraged by many of the recommendations, and by the considered manner in which these recommendations have been made, with reference to rape […]

Stalking is extremely likely to occur within the context of domestic violence and by a former partner. This is the experience of many of the women we support. Stalking, underpinned by coercive and controlling behaviours, can often appear as routine and so-called ‘low -level’ acts, but carried out over time can deliberately instil anxiety, constant […]