Support Services

There are a range of support services available to victims of domestic violence.

Click here for information on Domestic Violence Legal Supports during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Women's Aid

Women’s Aid provides support for victims in 240 different languages. If English is not your first language you can call and talk in your preferred language through their free and confidential telephone interpretation service on 1800 341 900, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information and videos explaining this service can be found here. Women may be referred to the following services:

• One to One Support Service
• Court Accompaniment Service
• Local Domestic Violence Refugees and Support Services
• Legal Aid
• Other Relevant Agencies

Further information about the helpline service is available here https://www.womensaid.ie/services/helpline.html, including information and advice on making the first call, available support, practical issues, and the Language Line facility if you are a non-English speaker. Information on the new Instant Messaging Support Service https://www.womensaid.ie/services/helpline/instant-messaging-support-service.html is also provided.

The One to One Support Service (https://www.womensaid.ie/get-help/talk-to-us/instant-message-support-service/) provides face to face support and information. Bookings can be made via the national freephone helpline. A free and confidential drop-in service is also available for women experiencing domestic abuse at Dolphin House Family Law Court

https://www.womensaid.ie/get-help/support-services/court-support/ 

Contact Details:

• Helpline: 1800 341 900
• Text Service for Deaf and Hard of Hearing women available daily on 087 959 7980.
• Online chat service available Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7pm – 10pm at www.womensaid.ie/
• Email: helpline@womensaid.ie
• Website: www.womensaid.ie

Safe Ireland

Safe Ireland is the national support service for domestic violence, providing free and confidential services to women. There are 38 domestic violence support services located across Ireland. Further information is available on the Safe Ireland website https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/what-types-of-support-are-available/#toggle-id-4 about support services for women experiencing domestic abuse, including domestic violence support services, refuge, the helpline, one-to-one support and court accompaniment.

If you need immediate support, please contact the National 24-hour Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 or the local 24-hour helplines, details of which are available at the following link: https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/.

Contact Details:

• Telephone: 090 6479078
• Email: info@safeireland.ie
• Website: www.safeireland.ie

Rape Crisis Network Ireland

The 16 Rape Crisis Centres across Ireland provide crisis counselling and support services to male and female victims of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and childhood sexual abuse.

The 24-hour freephone helpline (1800 77 8888) provides a confidential support service to victims of sexual violence, including information, advice and telephone counselling.

If you require crisis support, including information, advice and telephone counselling, contact your local centre (details of which are available on RapeCrisisHelp.ie) or contact the 24-Hour Freephone Rape Crisis Helpline - 1800 77 88 88.

The Cork Sexual Violence Centre can be contacted via helpline 1800 496 496, text service 087 153 3393 or via social media.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) provides crisis counselling and support services to male and female victims of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and childhood sexual abuse. DRCC can be contacted via the national helpline. Further information is available on the DRCC website: www.drcc.ie

Contact Details:

• Helpline: 1800 77 8888
• Website: www.rapecrisishelp.ie

Sonas

Sonas Refuge Dublin provides a 24/7 crisis refuge service for women experiencing domestic violence. Support is generally provided for up to 12 weeks, with an individualised support plan developed and accommodation provided in self-contained apartments. Additional supports are also available, including the Sonas Outreach programme.

Further information on the support services available can be found here:

https://domesticabuse.ie/ 

Contact Details:

• Telephone: 24 Hour Refuge: 01 866 2015
• Advice Line: 087 952 5217
• Website: www.domesticabuse.ie
• Email: refuge@sonasdomesticabuse.ie

Immigration Service Delivery (ISD)

mmigration Service Delivery (ISD) has published guidelines for victims of domestic violence whose immigration status is currently dependant on the person perpetrating the abuse. More information on these guidelines are available here  

The guidelines outlined aim to allow the victim to get independent immigration permission. It is important to know you should always report domestic violence, you do not have to remain in an abusive relationship in order to maintain your entitlement to stay in Ireland.  

Applications can be made in writing to the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division. More contact information can be found here. There is no application fee, however if you application is successful, depending on the circumstances of your individual case, the standard immigration registration fee of €300 may apply.   

Your application should include as much information as possible, especially the details of the domestic abuse suffered, and any relevant family circumstances. For a list of required documents please refer to the required documents section.  

Nasc – Migrant and Refugee Right

Nasc was established in May 2000, with its headquarters located in Cork. Nasc now have permanent base in Paul Street, Cork. The concept of Nasc was developed from a realisation that essential services and the assistance meeting the needs of migrants were being underdeveloped by the government. Nasc has a free and confidential immigration support service helpline, which can be reached at 021 427 3594. For more information on Nasc’s phone line opening hours click here.  Nasc have developed several resources to help people know their rights and provide information relating to immigration and asylum in Ireland, including voting rights, citizenship, travel documents, visa applications and family reunification, which can be accessed here. For specific information from Nasc relating to domestic violence is available here. Nasc can be contacted by email also at info@nascireland.org

Men’s Aid Ireland and the Men’s Development Network

Men’s Aid Ireland supports men and their families experiencing domestic violence. 

National confidential helpline (01-5543811)

Opening Hours: 

Monday-Friday: 09:00AM - 17:00PM

Services available include:

• Legal information clinic
• One to one practical support
• Counselling services (face to face and via telephone)
• Court accompaniment services
• Outreach clinics

Contact Details:

• Helpline: 01-5543811
• Email: hello@mensaid.ie
• Website: www.mensaid.ie

The Men’s Development Network works with men on a variety of levels, including one-to-one support, counselling, behaviour change group work, parenting support, and awareness raising.

The Male Advice Line (1800 816 588) provides advice and support for male victims of domestic violence.

Opening Hours:

Monday and Wednesday: 10:00AM - 18:00PM

Tuesday and Thursday: 10:00PM - 20:00PM

Friday,Saturday and Sunday: 14:00PM - 18:00PM

A range of programmes are available including:

• MEND Domestic Violence Intervention Programme
• Counselling Programme
• Men’s Health Programme
• Men’s Development Programme
• Parent Support Programme

Further information on these programmes is available here https://mensnetwork.ie/about/.

Contact Details:

• Telephone: 051-844260/1
• Male Advice Line: 1800 816 588
• Email: men@mensnetwork.ie
• Website: www.mensnetwork.ie

MOVE Ireland – Men Overcoming Violence

Move Ireland provides domestic violence perpetrator intervention programmes.

Male perpetrators of domestic abuse are supported through a behaviour-change intervention programme, where they take responsibility for their harmful behaviour, develop new skills, and change both their attitude and behaviour. Female partners/ex-partners are also supported during and after the process.

Further information is available at www.moveireland.ie.

Contact Details:

• Telephone:
• MOVE CORK - 086 6044047
• MOVE GALWAY, SLIGO, MIDLANDS (ATHLONE)- 085 8748108
• MOVE DUBLIN, MEATH, TALLAGHT, SWORDS - 086 4149591
• MOVE LIMERICK/CLARE, NORTH TIPPERARY, KERRY - 086 4149613
• Email: move@moveireland.ie
• Website: www.moveireland.ie

An Garda Síochána

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or 112. 

If you are not in immediate danger and you require support and advice, you can visit your local Garda Station (https://www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/).

For further information, see www.garda.ie

Bright Sky Ireland App

The Bright Sky Ireland app is a free mobile app available on Google Play and Apple App Store. It is an app disguised as a weather app on the outside, but the contents hidden inside of the app, connects victims of domestic and sexual abuse to advice support services in Ireland. It also provides a journal to record incidents of abuse by text, video, voice recording or photography. It was developed in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, Women’s Aid and Vodafone.

OSS Cork

OSS Cork is a one-stop shop that provides information and services to men and women on a wide range of issues including legal, financial, and housing. It is an inter-agency approach to the area of domestic violence and provides a free, confidential service that includes:

• Information (legal)
• Support
• Referral
• Advocacy
• Accompaniment

The service of the OSS is open to both men and women of all nationalities, sexual orientation, married/cohabiting couples, or single people and is offered through:

• One to one sessions via appointment or walk-in
• Telephone helpline (1800 497 497)

In terms of legal information, the OSS Cork can provide clients with factual information on available domestic violence remedies, and where and how to apply for them. However, while this information can be provided, the OSS does not provide legal advice and must, in such cases, refer clients to a solicitor. 

Another invaluable service provided by OSS is accompaniment for victims to Garda stations, Court proceedings, medical or GP offices etc. This is particularly vital for people or clients who may be experiencing intimidation, low self-esteem or language difficulties. Professional accompaniment can help clients to follow through with legal procedures, knowing they are not alone throughout proceedings.

Contact Details:

• Helpline: 1800 497 497
• E-mail: osscork@gmail.com
• Website: www.osscork.com

Contacts