All contact options are confidential and handled by trained helpline staff.
The helpline is open to anyone aged 18+ in Northern Ireland who has experienced, or is currently experiencing, domestic or sexual abuse.
You can contact us if you have experienced:
Want to learn more?
Types of abuseWe welcome calls, emails and messages from people aged 18+ from all communities and backgrounds, including:
Our team includes both male and female helpline operators. We understand that you may feel more comfortable speaking with someone of a particular gender, and you're very welcome to let us know your preference when you call. We will always do our best to support this, although it may not always be possible.
We offer a range of options to help make the helpline accessible to all. If English is not your first language, you can ask to speak to us in another language. We will do our best to arrange an interpreter through our interpreting service.
You may also find it quicker to contact us via help@dsahelpline.org or webchat, where we can use embedded translation tools to communicate more easily.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have a visual impairment, you can also contact us in ways that work best for you:
If you have specific access needs, we will do our best to support you in a way that works for you.
We understand that different people may need different types of support. If another service may be better suited to your situation, we can help signpost you to relevant organisations and specialist support services.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, there are some small techniques you can try to help you feel more grounded in the moment.
These are not a replacement for support but may help while you are waiting to speak to someone or if you are not ready to reach out yet.
Grounding techniques are simple coping strategies that help bring your focus back to the present moment. They can help reduce feelings of anxiety, panic or overwhelm.
Defusing techniques help you create distance from difficult thoughts and feelings, allowing you to observe them without becoming overwhelmed.
This technique involves imagining a place where you feel safe and calm. You can use this to help reduce stress and feel more in control
