A charity supporting victims of domestic and sexual abuse saw the number of calls to its helpline increase by 50% during December.
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse (DSA) helpline, hosted by Nexus on behalf of three Northern Ireland government departments, also dealt with over 31,000 calls from people seeking help or advice about domestic violence or sexual abuse in the last 12 months.
There was also a 28% increase in webchats and emails between December 1 and 20 December last and the same period the previous year. It also experienced further increases in the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
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Nexus is one of Northern Ireland’s leading charities supporting people affected by sexual trauma. The DSA helpline operates 24 hours a day and is available to all genders and ages. The purpose of the helpline is to offer support, advice and referral for any victim of domestic and sexual abuse.
Overall there was a 40% annual increase in calls and webchats to the helpline last year compared to 2021 while the number of contacts made increased from 22,414 in 2021 to 31,217 last year.
Figures show that there were 517 calls between December 1 and 30 2021 along with 951 webchats and emails. That rose to 775 calls and 1,221 webchats and emails during the same time period in 2022.
Nexus said instances of domestic abuse increased over the Christmas 2022 period.
For the week from December 26 to January 1, there was a 23% rise in calls - up from 257 in 2021 to 317 in 2022 or from approximately 37 calls per day to 45 on average. Webchats also rose by 57% from 349 in 2021 - 547 in 2022 - approximately 50 webchats per day up to 78 on average.
Nexus' chief executive Joanne Barnes said: “While it is positive that more people are reaching out for help, it’s concerning that domestic and sexual abuse appears to be affecting more people than before and yet we know that current reporting levels do not fully reflect the need in our society as many are too frightened to reach out for support.
“The DSA Helpline statistics tell us that instances of domestic abuse, in particular, increase during the Christmas period. Our callers highlight increased pressures in domestic relationships due to several common factors; families spending more time together and having to maintain a façade for others, greater strain on finances and higher levels of alcohol intake.
“There can never be an excuse for domestic or sexual abuse. Therefore, while these stressors are commonly shared by callers, no stressor can ever excuse abusive behaviour. The responsibility lies solely with the person perpetrating the abuse.”
Nichola Greene, Head of the DSA Helpline, added: “While Christmas is a joyful time of year for many, unfortunately for some it is a time of fear and worry when circumstances mean instances of domestic and sexual abuse increase.
“In the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day in 2021, we saw a 12% annual increase in calls and a 29% increase in webchats and emails, this was particularly evident during the evening and at night.”
The helpline has also been readying itself to refer individuals and families to refuge in January following the Christmas break.
Nichola added: “It is important to be able to reach out for help if you experience domestic or sexual abuse. No one should be living in fear or have to experience abuse at the hands of others. There is never an excuse for abusive behaviour.”
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 802 1414, email help@dsahelpline.org or online on dsahelpline.org where you can ‘Live Chat’ with an advisor. If you are in immediate danger, please call the PSNI on 999.
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