For most people, Christmas is a time of joy. A time when families come together to share love and laughter. Sadly, while most families are celebrating Christmas, other lives are being devastated due to domestic and sexual violence in the home.

On a single day in November, Women’s Aid provided emergency accommodation and support to 1,881 women and 2,063 children suffering domestic violence in Northern Ireland. This was only possible thanks to the Supporting People fund, which covers much of the cost of our life-saving services.

There are up to 32,000 children and young people living with domestic violence in Northern Ireland. This article dispels some of the myths and gives tips on how to support children & young people experiencing violence at home.

Any woman, man, child or young person can be abused regardless of age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality or background. Recognising what is happening to you, or has happened in the past, is the first step in escaping the pain and misery of domestic violence.

Women’s Aid Northern Ireland is taking part in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, beginning today on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ending on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. This year, the focus of the 16 Days is on militarism, the link between small arms possession and violence against women, and institutionalised state violence, themes of particular relevance to women in Northern Ireland.

To support the Women’s Aid ABCLN Make it Better appeal, you can now purchase their Make it Better Angels for £2.50. These make a great small present for Christmas.

North Down & Ards Women's Aid are having a Coffee and Cake morning on 28 November in support of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.

Omagh Lions Club presents Showstoppers at the Strule Arts Centre on Wednesday 12 November @ 8.00pm.

The agencies involved in Public Protection in Northern Ireland held a special interest seminar on Friday with the focus on domestic violence.

Women’s Aid is extremely disappointed by the Queen’s University Belfast research published today on prostitution in Northern Ireland.

Today, staff from the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline attended the launch of the new NSPCC Adult Helpline based in Belfast.

At the information day, agencies agreed that early intervention of support services can make the difference between a victim receiving the protection required and the confidence necessary to progress a complaint.

The artwork, originally from Women’s Aid in Carrickfergus, was created by The Women’s Forum in Carrickfergus and gifted to Women’s Aid.

Modern Slavery is closer than you think. This film, by the UK Home Office, includes information on how to spot potential victims, how they may be exploited and what you can do to help free the UK from Modern Slavery.

We've just added three new Helpline Voices to our YouTube Channel. In these audio clips, men and women talk about why they sought help from the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline.

Staff from the 24 hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline were at Foyle Women's Aid this week to see a demonstration of the PSNI body worn cameras.

Thanks to funding from the South Belfast District PCSP and the East Belfast PCSP, Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid, Belfast Domestic Violence Partnership and the Men’s Advisory Project, were each able to make vital improvements to their websites.

Suicide is a major public health problem in Northern Ireland. Last year, 303 men, women and children took their lives. The Home Office estimates that 10 women in the UK kill themselves every week after repeated abuse.

The South Belfast District Policing Community Safety Partnership invite you to the official launch of the Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, Belfast Area Domestic Violence Partnership and Men’s Advisory Project redesigned websites.

The Annual Report 2013-14 from North Down & Ards Women's Aid, shows an ever-increasing demand for services from all programme areas.

We are delighted to announce that we now have information leaflets on domestic and sexual violence and abuse, translated into 12 languages. The translated leaflets provide information about what domestic and sexual violence are, how they may manifest, and how you can get help and stay safe.

A big congratulations to our Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid group, who were one of 4 finalists in the Department of Employment & Learning’s VQ (Vocational Qualifications) Employer of the… Read more →

It may seem strange that someone who is the victim of a crime like rape or sexual abuse would feel guilt and blame themselves, but it is not uncommon. In… Read more →

Today, as the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, the media is awash with questions over the connection between sporting events and domestic violence and abuse. In Northern Ireland, Women's Aid frequently sees a spike in the reporting of domestic violence during major sporting events like the World Cup, but this doesn't mean that football causes domestic violence.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) conducted a survey in 2014 about violence experienced by women in 28 countries in the EU, check out the results for the UK.

This week is Africa Week in Northern Ireland, and the programme includes events focusing on domestic violence.

This week is anti-homophobia and transphobia week in Northern Ireland, and Women's Aid staff have been joining a host of organisations and individuals to stand up and speak out against homophobia and transphobia.

Justice Minister David Ford has published a progress report against the first annual human trafficking action plan for Northern Ireland.

Our sisters at the charity Equality Now have outlined three steps that everyone can take today in the campaign to #BringBackOurGirls. Join us in keeping the pressure on so that the girls can be recovered safe and well.

In 1973, Jenny Smith became one of the first abused women to find sanctuary at a refuge. Forty-one years later, she says women are suffering more than ever.