Women’s Aid services across the UK and Ireland

If you are looking for help with domestic abuse, the right service will often depend on where you live. The Women’s Aid organisations across the UK and Ireland share a common aim of helping women and children find safety and support, but each nation has its own helplines, local services and support routes. This page brings those services together for easier signposting.

Women’s Aid (England)

Women’s Aid in England is a grassroots federation working to keep women and children safe and to end domestic abuse. Its website offers information and support, including safety planning, practical guidance and a regularly updated domestic abuse directory to help people find local, regional and national specialist services. It also hosts the Survivors’ Forum, an anonymous peer support space for women over 18 who have been affected by domestic abuse.

Scottish Women’s Aid

Scottish Women’s Aid works to end domestic abuse in Scotland and manages Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline. The helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0800 027 1234, with email support via helpline@sdafmh.org.uk and text or WhatsApp support on 07401 288 595. Its website also helps people find local Women’s Aid services across Scotland and offers information to support safety planning and decision-making.

Welsh Women’s Aid

Welsh Women’s Aid is the national charity in Wales working to end domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women. It runs the Live Fear Free Helpline, a confidential freephone service open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence or other forms of violence against women, and for those worried about a friend or relative. The helpline can be reached on 0808 80 10 800, and the website also helps people find local specialist services across Wales.

Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland

Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland is the lead voluntary organisation in Northern Ireland addressing domestic abuse and providing services for women and children. Its website directs people needing support to contact their local Women’s Aid group, with local services listed across the region and available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The federation can be contacted on 028 9024 9041 or by email at info@womensaidni.org, although it makes clear that people looking for support should contact their local group directly.

Women’s Aid (Ireland)

Women’s Aid in Ireland describes itself as the country’s leading domestic abuse charity, working to listen, believe, support and empower women. Its 24-hour National Freephone Helpline is available on 1800 341 900, seven days a week, and the organisation also offers helpline email support via helpline@womensaid.ie as well as an instant messaging support service during opening hours. Its wider work includes frontline services, local support information, safety planning and advocacy for women and children affected by abuse.