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If you decide not to report the crime, you can still access help and support to recover from the trauma experienced by many victims of crime.

Victim Support NI is here for you and can give you emotional support and practical advice to help you recover from the impact of crime and move on with your life.  Our service is free and confidential and we will not pass on the details of your case to anyone, except in cases where we believe someone is at risk of serious harm and needs immediate help.

Victim Support NI works in partnership with a range of organisations who can provide you with the necessary support and information YOU need, dependant on your individual needs.

You can do so by contacting us on either
028 9024 3133, or 028 7137 0086

Our partner organisations and other support agencies are listed here

Specialist Support for Victims of Sexual Violence

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, there are support organisations who can help you.  You are not alone.  These organisations know how difficult it can be to come forward and talk about your experience, and will respect and believe you.  It is important that you remember YOU ARE NOT TO BLAME regardless of circumstances – your rapist or abuser made the choice to abuse you.  They are the ones at faults.

  • If you wish to report the crime to the police, they will want to collect whatever forensic evidence they can, so you are advised not to wash, change your clothes, or brush your teeth. If you do change your clothes, please keep the clothes you were wearing when it happened in a plastic bag, in case you decide to report to police at a later stage.
  • If you think you were drugged or had your drink spiked, it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible so that blood and urine samples can be taken.
  • If you suffer any physical injuries, you may want to see your doctor. While you do not have to tell them what happened, they will be better able to support you if you do.
  • It is also advisable to book an appointment at a sexual health clinic within two weeks of the incident, to check for sexually transmitted diseases, and if you are female, take a pregnancy test.

You may want to contact the Domestic & Sexual Abuse helpline (run by Nexus) which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available on 0808 802 1414

Rape Crisis NI also have a helpline which is open Mon-Thurs evenings 6-8pm on 0800 0246 991

Our Sexual Offences Legal Advisers can also help you with legal advice and support.

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The Victim's Journey

Crime happens

Should You Report A Crime?

From Crime to Court

What happens at court

Advocacy support for victims of sexual and domestic violence is now provided by ASSIST NI.

Specialist Support for
Victims of Domestic Violence

If your partner is abusing you sexually, physically, emotionally, or financially, you have the right to stay in your home and make your partner leave.   You may be able to force a violent partner to leave, and get a court order to enforce this.  The law is quite complicated, so it is best to seek advice from a solicitor or an advice organisation.

You can apply for a ‘non-molestation order’ which will protect you from threats and/or actual violence or abuse.  You can also apply for an ‘occupation order’ which will remove the abusive partner from the home.

If you or your children are experiencing abuse in the home, it is important that you speak to someone as soon as possible.  Women’s Aid can provide you with advice, support, and a safe place to stay if you need to leave the home.

You can contact Women’s Aid on
028 9024 9041

or use the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (run by Nexus) which offers free and confidential support and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to men and women on 0808 802 1414.  You can also email them using help@dsahelpline.org

Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline
0808 802 1414

 

Male victims of domestic abuse can access help and support from the Men’s Advisory Project on:
Belfast 028 9024 1929
Foyle 028 7116 0001
http://www.mapni.co.uk

Specialist Support for
Victims of Hate Crime

Hate crime occurs when someone is victimised because of their race, religion, sexuality, gender identification, or disability.  Hate Crime is taken very seriously by the police and the courts, and while hate crime itself does not exist as a prescribed offence in law, it is recognised as a motivation behind a crime, and can lead to increased sentences.

Victim Support NI manages the Hate Crime Advocacy Service in partnership with Migrant Centre NI, Disability Action, and The Rainbow Project NI, to help victims of hate crime access the specialist support they need and advocate for them in dealings with other criminal justice agencies.  This is a free and confidential service and can be accessed by emailing hate.crime@hcasni.org.uk or by contacting the:

Victim Support NI office number
028 9024 3133

If you report to the police, you have the right to an interpreter or translator.  The PSNI has Hate and Signal Crime Officers who have been specifically trained to advise and support victims of hate crime. The Hate Crime Advocacy Service can help support you during the police investigation. They can also help you to contact the police if you’re feeling vulnerable or unsure.

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