We are here. 
Whenever you’re ready.

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline provides information, advice and support to those impacted by domestic and sexual abuse across Northern Ireland.

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  • An older woman sits on a dark grey or brown sofa while looking at her phone. She is asian, has shoulder length dark hair and is wearing a cream shirt.
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  • A young asian girl smiles happily as she looks at her phone, she has curly black hair and is wearing a yellow jumper.
  • A young gay couple sit on a bed together, the man on the left is wearing a white jumper and has dark hair, he is using a laptop. The man on the right is wearing a black tshirt and grey trousers, he has blonde hair and has his head leaning on the other man's shoulder, and his hand on the man's right arm.
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If you need support, you can contact us in the way that feels most comfortable for you. The DSA helpline is a free, confidential service for anyone aged 18+, providing 24/7, 365-day support.

All contact options are confidential and handled by trained helpline staff.

Call us for FREE

0808 802 1414

Email us

help@dsahelpline.org

Chat to us

24/7 Live chat

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999

Our support is...

Free

We offer completely free and accessible support

24/7

We're always here, whenever you need us

Confidential

Whenever you communicate with the Helpline it is completely confidential

Inclusive

This is a non-judgemental space, open to all

What we offer

The DSA helpline is here to support, inform and empower. We can provide you with information and guidance that supports your personal circumstances.

Get help

Whether you need help, or are worried for someone you know, the DSA helpline is here for you. Find out what to expect, how to contact us, what to do if you're worried about someone else, and explore other support services.

Learn more Two people clasping hands

Understanding Abuse

There are many misconceptions about abuse, as well as confusion and misinformation. Find out about the different types of abuse, how to spot red flags and more.

Learn more A woman in a white top and blue jeans sits crosslegged while using a laptop.

Signposting Services

We are here to signpost you to other relevant organisations who can provide specialist interventions suited to your personal needs.

Learn more Three women sit together on a sofa in conversation.

Your Rights, Choices & Support

The DSA helpline is here to empower you to understand and navigate your experience and consider your options so you can make informed decisions.

Learn more Two men dressed in suits sit together at a table in a red-brick-walled room, having a serious conversation.

  • The Helpline was a safe space for me.

    "I am so grateful that the Helpline is available 24/7 and that I was able to share anonymously. I was recently sexually assaulted, and I wasn’t ready to speak to family or friends. The Helpline was a safe space for me to get support with my options."

  • The Helpline has saved my life.

    "Honestly, I know you might not believe it, but the helpline has really really really saved my life, more than once. Thank you for being there to listen and for not judging."

  • They are there in moments of need.

    "I am so grateful that the Helpline is available 24/7 and that I was able to share anonymously. I was recently sexually assaulted, and I wasn’t ready to speak to family or friends. The Helpline was a safe space for me to get support with my options."

The reality of abuse

Domestic and sexual abuse affects many people across our communities. It comes in many different forms, and happens to people from all walks of life.

Want to learn more?

Understanding Abuse
A man sits with his head in his heands, he is wearing a yellow tshirt and has short dark hair and a beard. He is being comforted by a woman who has one arm around him, she has close cropped bright green hair, large hoop earrings and a tattoo on her neck below her right ear, wearing a striped white shirt.

1 in 4 women

have been raped or sexually assaulted since the age of 16. 1

1 in 18 men

have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult. 2

37% of disabled individuals

have suffered from abuse from a current partner. 3

77% of LGBTQIA+

individuals reported experiencing sexual assault since the age of 18. 4

1 in 20 people aged 60-74

experienced domestic abuse in the past year. 5

Sources:

Rape Crisis England & Wales

ONS: Sexual offences prevalence and victim characteristics, England and Wales, March 2025

Safe Lives: Disabled people and domestic abuse spotlight, 2019

Galop: Sexual Violence: A snapshot of those harming LGBT+ people, 2023.

Age UK: Shining a spotlight on domestic abuse in older people, December 2025.

Parliament UK: Tackling inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

PSNI: LGBT Community

Women’s Aid: Domestic Abuse: Facts and Figures

NISRA: Almost one in five crimes involved domestic abuse, November 2025

PSNI: Domestic Abuse Statistics, 2025

Northern Ireland map

30,793 domestic abuse incidents in Northern Ireland were recorded by the PSNI in 2025

an increase of 286 on the previous 12 months.

Sources:

PSNI: Domestic Abuse Incidents and Crimes Recorded by The Police in Northern Ireland, December 2025.

Want to learn more?

See more statistics

In the News

Read the latest updates and stories relating to domestic and sexual abuse.

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