Not Just a Statistic: Thousands of Women Across Northern Ireland Are Experiencing Domestic Abuse

Not Just a Statistic: Thousands of Women Across Northern Ireland Are Experiencing Domestic Abuse

Women’s Aid Federation NI has published its annual regional statistics for 2024/2025, highlighting the reality faced by thousands of women, children and young people across Northern Ireland who have been impacted by domestic abuse.

The Women’s Aid Movement in Northern Ireland, which provides specialist support to women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women, has supported a further 5,810 women living in the community.

In the 2024/25 financial year alone, Women’s Aid reports that 523 women and 364 children stayed in one of its emergency accommodation refuges across Northern Ireland. Of the 364 children living in refuge, 46% were aged between 0 and 5.

The distressing reality of pregnant women experiencing domestic abuse was also made clear, with six babies born to women living in Women’s Aid emergency accommodation at the time of birth. A further 304 pregnant women were supported in the community, an increase of 14% from the previous year.

Demand for Women’s Aid services also remained high, with 8,393 referrals made in 2024/25 as the network continues to meet the need for vital support for women and their children across Northern Ireland.

These are not just statistics, they are women, children, families who have been affected by abuse within their home and have had to reach out to Women’s Aid services. These figures are a stark reminder, especially coming up to Christmas, that home is not a safe place for many of the women, children, and young people we support. They are human beings who deserve dignity, respect, and the right to live free from abuse.

Women’s Aid across Northern Ireland supports thousands of women affected by domestic abuse every year, and acknowledging the scale of this problem is the first step towards creating a safer society for all women.

In 2024/25 in Northern Ireland:

• 5,354 children had mums supported by Women’s Aid Services

• They supported 66 women and 52 children with no recourse to public fund in their emergency refuge accommodation.

• 88% of women receiving support from Women’s Aid have been subjected to domestic abuse by a current or former partner.

• 27% of the women they supported were aged 30 and under.

• 11% of women they 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.

• Women’s Aid supported women who spoke 55 different languages.

Women’s Aid urges any women who feel unsafe to reach out for support. Women’s Aid groups exist in every part of Northern Ireland and are there to listen. You can find your local Women’s Aid group by visiting their website: http://www.womensaidni.org

If you are in danger, contact the PSNI immediately by dialing '999' immediately.

You can also contact the Police on their non – emergency number by calling ‘101’.

Women’s Aid Federation NI