A charity based in Northern Ireland has urged abuse victims to reach out to their confidential helpline for vital support this Christmas.
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) Helpline, hosted by Nexus, has revealed certain groups of people are underrepresented in its calls, as they face societal barriers to seeking support. Abuse can occur in any household and among friends or family and often escalates during the holiday period.
The Helpline is urging people in these groups who are experiencing abuse and people who are worried about them, to seek support on its 24/7 confidential helpline or webchat during Christmas, New Year and beyond. The Helpline can be contacted on 0808 802 1414, [email protected], or via live chat at dsahelpline.org.
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Emma Mitchell, DSA Helpline Coordinator, said: “Christmas is often seen as a time for joy and togetherness, but for many it is a period of heightened vulnerability, especially for people in marginalised groups in abusive relationships. Men, older people, and LGBTQIA+ individuals often face societal barriers that prevent them from disclosing abuse.
"For many, issues like dependence on an abuser, social isolation, or concerns about discrimination or family disruption create additional hurdles to seeking help. While call numbers from these demographics are comparatively low, we know targeted campaigns and media coverage can encourage more people to come forward.
“For instance, following the release of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer this year we saw weekly average male callers to the Helpline double and a significant rise in older people reaching out during tailored promotional efforts in June, July and August.
“Behind every contact is a person who has found the courage to seek much needed support and these spikes demonstrate that abuse in these groups is real and prevalent.
“Our team is here 24/7, every day of the year, to provide a listening ear and connect people with the support they need. We encourage anyone impacted by domestic or sexual abuse in Northern Ireland to contact us for information and support. You can also contact us if you are worried someone you know and love is in an abusive relationship and you don’t know what to do.”
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline, hosted by Nexus, is confidential, operates 24/7 365 days a year, and can be reached on 0808 802 1414. Support is also available via email at [email protected] and online at dsahelpline.org to ‘Live Chat’ with an advisor.
If you are in immediate danger, please call the Police Service of Northern Ireland on 999.
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