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Domestic violence

ANYONE can become a victim of domestic violence or abuse, regardless of gender, age, ability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.

Domestic violence or abuse is defined as any violent behaviour within a family or relationship, including emotional abuse.  This includes violence between a couple, or one family member abusing another. Child abuse falls under this category and happens when a child or young person is harmed, neglected, or bullied by a family member.  You do not have to be physically harmed to be abused.

Some examples of domestic abuse include:

  • Physical abuse: pushing, hitting, punching, kicking, choking and using weapons.
  • Sexual abuse: forcing or pressuring someone to have sex (rape), unwanted sexual activity, touching, groping someone or making them watch pornography.
  • Financial abuse: taking money, controlling finances, not letting someone work.
  • Emotional abuse / coercive control: repeatedly making someone feel bad or scared, stalking, blackmailing, constantly checking up on someone, playing mind games.
  • Digital / online abuse: using technology to further isolate, humiliate or control someone.
  • Honour-based violence and forced marriage

Many victims of domestic abuse feel that they are to blame, but this could not be further from the truth – the ONLY person at fault is the abuser.  Abuse in a relationship is never OK.

If you are being abused, physically or emotionally, it is important that you tell someone.  The police will take you seriously.  You can report to them via the non-emergency number 101, or use 999 if you are in immediate danger.

DSA Helpline
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (run by Nexus) is open 24/7, 365 days per year and is free and confidential.  You can call them on 0808 802 1414 or email help@dsahelpline.org

Assist NI

The Department of Justice funds an advocacy support service for victims of domestic or sexual violence and abuse who are engaging with the criminal justice system.  It launched in late 2021 and covers the whole of Northern Ireland.  You can access their support and find out more about the service at their website Assist NI

Domestic violence

Types of Crime

If you suspect someone you know is being abused:

Try and talk to them about your suspicions, listen to what they are telling you, and help them to feel confident enough to report their situation to the police or an organisation who can help.

You can contact the 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline for support on

Otherwise, there are plenty of confidential services that can help. Please see our useful links section below.

  • 0808 802 1414 (Freephone) 0808 802 1414 (Freephone)
  • help@dsahelpline.org help@dsahelpline.org
  • https://dsahelpline.org https://dsahelpline.org

Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme

DVADS is a police operated scheme that lets a person (aged 16 or over) make inquiries to the police where they are concerned that their partner, or the partner of someone that they know (such as a friend or family member), has a history of abusive behaviour.  The scheme will be important in helping to address risk to potential victims, allowing them to make an informed choice on whether they wish to continue in their relationship.

You can find out more about the scheme here

The Belfast Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Partnership have a useful document containing Legal Remedies Guidance for victims of domestic and sexual violence.  You can read that at their website here

Teenagers and Abuse

A recent survey carried out by the NSPCC reported that a quarter of teenage girls and nearly a fifth of teenage boys have experienced violence in a relationship.

Other examples of abuse in teen relationships include:

  • Pressure to have sex
  • Checking on a partner’s behaviour and movements by accessing their social media profiles
  • Controlling behaviours
  • Unwarranted jealousy or anger

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect by their partner, regardless of their age. Abuse in a relationship is never OK.

How Victim Support NI can help

We believe that with support and help, survivors of domestic abuse can be empowered to move on from the impact of abuse. We don’t just help people who’ve recently experienced domestic abuse – we’re here to support both men and women, and provide support and advice months, even years, afterwards.

All of our services are confidential, free and available to anyone who’s experienced domestic violence. We can help, regardless of whether you’ve told the police or anyone else about the abuse.

You can access our services on

02890 243133
belfast@victimsupportni.org.uk or foyle@victimsupportni.org.uk

Any support we offer will be tailored to your specific needs. We partner with specialist agencies to make sure we can do this. Some of the organisations we work with are listed below:

Organisations who can help:

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