In November 2022, our church was the setting for the launch of the Mothers’ Union 16 Days of Activism campaign. During the launch, we heard about the practical support Mothers’ Union members give to local organisations who support victims of domestic abuse. It was during this talk that we first heard about the Safe Church initiative.
In April 2023, four members of our Mothers’ Union branch, along with our Curate, Andy Hay, completed the Safe Place webinar training by Onus and we registered as a Safe Church.
As a Safe Church we are committed to:
• Supporting the Safe Place Campaign: never to commit, condone or stay silent about domestic abuse or violence.
• Provide a Safe Place to confidentially access information on external agencies who are equipped to helping victims of domestic abuse or violence.
• Acknowledge that domestic abuse or violence is a problem that impacts in every area society. We are prepared to play are part in supporting victims and we state clearly to perpetrators that we will not tolerate abuse in our community.
Domestic Abuse can take many forms; physical abuse, coercive control, financial control. On the island of Ireland, the number of people reporting domestic abuse has reached epidemic proportions. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience domestic abuse during their lifetime. Between April 2022 and March 2023 there were 32,875 domestic abuse incidents recorded in Northern Ireland.
Our Safe Church volunteers are here to sign post anyone affected by domestic violence to the relevant agencies where they can access professional help and assistance.
Below are links to external agencies in Northern Ireland that help victims of domestic abuse.
Women’s Aid Belfast & Lisburn
30 Adelaide Park
Belfast
BT9 6FY
United Kingdom
Phone: 028 9066 6049
Email: admin@belfastwomensaid.org.uk
Website: https://belfastwomensaid.org.uk/
Women’s Aid North Down and Ards
18 Bingham Street
Bangor
BT20 5DW
United Kingdom
Phone: 028 9127 3196
Email: info@ndawomensaid.org
Website: https://www.ndawomensaid.org
24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline is open to women and men affected by domestic abuse or violence. This free telephone service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Freephone: 0808 802 1414
Email: help@dsahelpline.org
PSNI
65 Knock Road
Belfast
BT5 6LE
United Kingdom
Phone in an emergency. Non-emergency calls and general enquiries dial 101999.
Phone if you are a Tesco mobile or giffgaff user 028 9065 0222
Victim Support NI
73-75 Great Victoria Street Belfast
BT2 7AF
United Kingdom
Phone: 028 9024 3133
Email: belfast@victimsupportni.org.uk
Website: https://www.victimsupportni.com
Nexus NI
59 Malone Road
Belfast
BT9 6SA
United Kingdom
Phone: 028 9032 6803
Email: info@nexusni.org
Website: https://nexusni.org
Men’s Advisory Project (MAP)
5th Floor, Glendinning House, 6 Murray Street
Belfast
BT1 6DN
United Kingdom
Phone Belfast: 028 9024 1929
PhoneFoyle: 028 7116 0001
Email: info@mapni.co.uk
Website: https://mapni.co.uk
THE ABOVE INFORMATION CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE.
Produced by St Finnian’s Safe Church Team