Domestic Abuse Support

Involves causing fear by intimidation and threatening physical harm such as:

• punching
• slapping
• hitting
• biting
• pinching
• kicking
• burning
• starving
• sleep deprivation
• non-fatal strangulation

Withholding access to medication or medical care is also seen as physical abuse. 

Sexual abuse, under the definition of Domestic Abuse, is classified as being any situation when someone is forced to partake in unwanted, unsafe or degrading sexual activity by a current or former intimate partner or family member, due to the victim’s refusal of consent being ignored by the abuser. 

This type of abuse can be verbal or non-verbal and can often chip away at the confidence and independence of the victim to make them compliant and limit their ability to leave the abuser.

By undermining a person’s sense of self-worth through constant criticism and belittling one’s abilities as well as damaging a partner’s relationship with their children can be seen as emotional abuse.

This can include:

• stalking and harassing

• yelling

• name calling

• blaming and shaming

• criticising

• public humiliation

• isolation

• intimidation

• threats of violence and controlling behavior 

Financial and economic abuse limits the victim’s ability to get help.  

The abuser controls finances, withholds or restricts money and can make someone unreasonably account for the money that they spend.

They can also withhold necessities or prevent someone from working and making their own money for financial freedom. 

Abusers can use technology to carry out stalking, gas lighting and other abusive actions.
These can include using:

• GPS to monitor a partner’s location

• cloning their phone

• constantly calling

• texting or messaging and blackmailing e.g. sharing or threatening to share information that would cause embarrassment such as messages, photos or videos. 

In an emergency, always dial 999

If you are a Housing Executive tenant and make us aware that you are experiencing domestic abuse, we can help you access support from partner organisations.

You can speak to your Patch Manager or phone your local office on 03448 920 900.

If you are a tenant and are at risk from domestic abuse, we can help you remain safely in your home through our Sanctuary Scheme.
 
The Sanctuary Scheme is a multi-agency, victim centered initiative to enable households at risk of domestic abuse to remain safely in their own home.

The scheme is delivered in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and provides appropriate security measures within a home.

When a referral is made a PSNI Crime Prevention Officer will conduct an initial risk assessment of the home to identify appropriate security measures.

They will consider the type and condition of the property as well as the needs and circumstances of the applicant.

The security measure recommendations are then shared with the Housing Executive who specify and issue work to trade contractors to install security measures.

You can access the Sanctuary Scheme by contacting your Patch Manager or contacting your local office on;
tel. 03448 920 900.

You can read our leaflet about:
The Sanctuary Scheme (PDF 168 kB)

In an emergency, always dial 999

If you are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse you can contact us for housing support. 

We will explain the process and provide information, advice and guidance.
 
We will carry out a Housing Needs and Homelessness assessment to place you on the Housing Waiting List.

Where appropriate, temporary accommodation may be provided with ongoing support to find a permanent housing solution.

We will also refer or signpost you to specialist support services.
 
In an emergency situation outside of normal working hours you can contact our Out of Hours service on:
tel.: 03448 920 908 between 5pm and 9am Monday – Friday, and at weekends.

In an emergency you can contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland:
Tel.: 999

If it is not an emergency, you can contact the Police on their non-emergency number:
tel.: 101

Or can make a Domestic Abuse referral online at:
Report Domestic Abuse - Police Service of Northern Ireland

You can get more information on their website at:
Police Service of Northern Ireland website

The Helpline is available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual abuse, now or in the past.

It is open to all women and men affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Please phone 0808 802 1414

Women’s Aid is the national domestic violence charity that helps up to 250,000 women and children every year.

They work to end violence against women and children and support over 350 domestic and sexual violence services across the country.

Women’s Aid provide both refuge accommodation and a support service.

You can get more information on their website at:
Women’s Aid

Men’s Advisory Project (MAP) exists to provide counselling services for men experiencing domestic abuse.

Support and counselling services are also available to men who have previously left a violent or abusive relationship and who are still experiencing the effects.

You can get more information on their website at:
Men’s Advisory Project website

Rainbow Project is a health organization that works to improve the physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people and their families in Northern Ireland.

You can get more information on their website at:
Rainbow Project

Assist NI is a new advocacy service offering impartial and practical support for victims of sexual and domestic abuse.

The service:

• assesses individual need and risk

• develops a safety support plan

• helps encourage and maintain engagement of victims within the criminal justice system

• refers victims on to other agencies for specialist support as appropriate.

You can get more information on their website at:
Assist NI

Victim Support NI is an independent charity which helps people affected by crime, offering a free and confidential service regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it took place.

You can get more information on their website at:
Victim Support NI

Hourglass NI is a charity that is committed to ending the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people.

You can get more information on their website at:
Hourglass NI

Karma Nirvana is a specialist charity for victims and survivors of Honour Based Abuse in the UK.

You can get more information on their website at:
Karma Nirvana

You can speak to your GP in confidence, who can refer you to appropriate support services.