This Christmas, Women’ Aid ABCLN wants to get the message out there for older women that it is never too late to get help if you are affected by domestic abuse.
Women’s Aid ABCLN Ambassador Cllr Noreen McClelland says “Over the Christmas period PSNI will respond to one incident of domestic abuse every 17 minutes. For every incident, we know the impact on women, particularly older women, will be devastating.”
“Older women may have been living with domestic abuse all their adult lives, enduring psychological and emotional abuse, physical violence, sexual abuse, financial abuse, isolation and control – in silence and invisible; or it can start in later years.”
“An increased understanding and awareness of domestic abuse can provide much needed protection for older women.”
Women’s Aid ABCLN’s Older But No Safer project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund for Northern Ireland – People and Communities programme, works with older women and communities to increase awareness about domestic abuse and provide greater protection for women aged 55 and over.
Cllr McClelland says “We must break down the barriers to accessing safety and support which many older women face.”
“Everyone has the right to be safe from domestic abuse, and this Christmas we want older women to know that it is never too late to get help.”
If you are affected by domestic abuse you can call Women’s Aid ABCLN on 028 25 632136 or go to womens-aid.org.uk.