Women’s Aid define domestic abuse as:
Domestic abuse involves the abuse of power and control by one person over another, within intimate relationships or family and typically escalates in frequency and severity over time. It remains a hidden crime, surrounded by stigma and significantly under reported.
The Government Strategy to address domestic and sexual abuse, Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence in Northern Ireland , defines abuse as:
Domestic abuse takes many forms, physical, verbal, psychological, economic, sexual and emotional and can often be a combination of several of these. It includes forms of violent and controlling behaviour such as: physical assault, sexual abuse, rape, threats and intimidation, harassment, humiliating and controlling behaviour, withholding of finances, economic manipulation, deprivation, isolation, belittling and constant unreasonable criticism.
Domestic abuse often occurs over a period of time and due to the nature of this behaviour and the subsequent impact, leaving an abusive relationship can be a long and very difficult process. Victims of domestic abuse will experience a range of emotions, including fear, reluctance, uncertainty, worry and stress. Concern for children’s welfare is a priority and it is essential that women and children are supported and met with an empathetic and proactive response from the very start.
Domestic abuse can have a detrimental and long-term impact upon individuals and presents a clear violation of their human rights. The human cost of abuse to individuals and families must never be undermined or underestimated. This can include physical, emotional and psychological damage, breakdown in relationships and families, and a reduction in the life opportunities for individuals.
Anyone can experience domestic abuse regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexuality, social class or geography. Research clearly shows that the majority of victims are women and children, highlighting the gendered nature of this crime.
The Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) 2024/2025 statistics show that on average, police attend a domestic abuse incident every 17 minutes of every day.
According to PSNI Statistics for the year 2024/25:
- Approximately 20% of all crime is domestic abuse related.
- There were 29,751 domestic abuse incidents reported.
- There were 18,393 domestic abuse crimes recorded.
- 67% of all domestic abuse crime victims were female.
- 33% of all domestic abuse victims were male.
- 79% of offenders in domestic abuse crimes were male and 15% were female.
- 1/3 of rape offences recorded by the PSNI were domestic abuse related.
- The majority of relationships between the domestic abuse victim and offender were current or ex-partner, followed by parent/child.
- Nine in ten offenders are aged 18 and over, and 87% of offenders are of white ethnicity and hold UK and Ireland nationality.
Every year Women’s Aid supports thousands of women, children and young people impacted by domestic abuse in Northern Ireland.
In 2024/2025:
- 523 women and 364 children stayed in our emergency refuge accommodation.
- Of the 364 children and young people staying in our refuges, 46% were aged 0-5 years old.
- 6 babies were born to a mother staying in a Women’s Aid refuge at the time of their birth.
- There were 8,393 referrals made to Women’s Aid services throughout NI.
- 5,810 women were supported by Women’s Aid services whilst living in the community.
- 304 pregnant women received support from Women’s Aid, a 14% increase on the previous year.
- 66 women and 52 children with no recourse to public fund were supported in our emergency refuge accommodation.
- 88% of women receiving support from Women’s Aid were subjected to domestic abuse by a current or former partner.
- 27% of the women supported were aged 30 and under.
- 11% of women supported were over the age of 55.
- The most common age range of women supported by Women’s Aid services was 36–40 years old.
- We supported women who spoke 55 different languages.