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Abuse and getting help

If you or some you know is experiencing abuse or has in the past there is help available.

You're not alone.

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Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse and coercive control is a persistent and deliberate pattern of behaviour by an abuser over a prolonged period of time designed to achieve obedience and create fear.

It may include coercion, threats, stalking, intimidation, isolation, degradation and control. It may also include physical and/or sexual violence.

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Domestic abuse and coercive control are all about making a persons world smaller – trapping them, restricting them independence and freedom.

A controlling partner may shut out their friends and family, control their movements, micro-manage what she eats or wears, restrict their access to money – all the time chipping away at their confidence and destroying their self-respect.

It is not their imagination.

It is not their fault. It is not acceptable.

Getting help

If you’re trying to decide whether to stay or leave, you may be feeling confused, uncertain, frightened, and torn. Maybe you’re still hoping that your situation will change or you’re afraid of how your partner will react if he discovers that you’re trying to leave. One moment, you may desperately want to get away, and the next, you may want to hang on to the relationship. Maybe you even blame yourself for the abuse or feel weak and embarrassed because you’ve stuck around in spite of it. Don’t be trapped by confusion, guilt, or self-blame. The only thing that matters is your safety.

If you are being abused, remember:

  • You are not to blame for being battered or mistreated.

  • You are not the cause of your partner’s abusive behavior.

  • You deserve to be treated with respect.

  • You deserve a safe and happy life.

  • Your children deserve a safe and happy life.

  • You are not alone. There are people waiting to help.

There are supports available to help keep you safe. Your GP can help by referring you to appropriate supports and services in your local area.

If you are in immediate danger, contact the Gardaí or call 999. You can also contact the Women’s Aid national helpline on 1800 341 900.

Your local Citizens Information Centre can give you advice on your rights. They will also tell you about the supports and services available in your local area.

Sexual assault or rape

If you need to talk to someone in confidence about sexual assault or rape, the Rape Crisis Centre (1800 77 88 88) can help.

Domestic violence

Women’s Aid can help you if you are experiencing domestic violence. They give advice on how you can help yourself and others. You can also contact them 24 hours-a-day on 1800 341 900.

Men's Aid Ireland is a service for men who are experiencing domestic violence. You can call them on 01 554 3811or email hello@mensaid.ie.

Child Abuse

Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. A child may be subjected to one or more forms of abuse at any given time. Abuse and neglect can occur within the family, in the community or in an institutional setting.  The abuser may be someone known to the child or a stranger, and can be an adult, or another child.  In a situation where abuse is alleged to have been carried out by another child, you should consider it a child welfare and protection issue for both children and you should follow child protection procedures for both the victim and the alleged abuser.   The important factor in deciding whether the behaviour is abuse or neglect is the impact of that behaviour on the child rather than the intention of the parent/carer.

Signs of Child Abuse

Child abuse can be categorised into four different types: neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. A child may be subjected to one or more forms of abuse at any given time. Abuse and neglect can occur within the family, in the community or in an institutional setting.  The abuser may be someone known to the child or a stranger, and can be an adult, or another child.  In a situation where abuse is alleged to have been carried out by another child, you should consider it a child welfare and protection issue for both children and you should follow child protection procedures for both the victim and the alleged abuser.   The important factor in deciding whether the behaviour is abuse or neglect is the impact of that behaviour on the child rather than the intention of the parent/carer.

Få hjelp til barnemishandling

Barn og unge

Childline  er en konfidensiell støttetjeneste for barn og unge. De tar imot telefoner om en lang rekke problemer, inkludert overgrep.

Du kan kontakte dem 24 timer i døgnet på  1800 66 66 66 . Du kan også sende tekstmeldinger 'Snakk' til  50101 .

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Du kan også kontakte tusla  https://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/definitions-of-child-abuse/

Harassment

It can take many forms such as:

  • rude gestures

  • touching

  • following or watching

  • damage to property and/or vehicles

  • name calling and/or taunting

  • phone calls and voicemails

  • notes and/or letters

  • emails and/or text messages

  • rubbish being thrown on your property

  • loud noise or music from neighbours

  • Tweets, Facebook comments, YouTube videos; and other online posts

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If you are a victim of harassment you may feel:

  • That nobody is taking it seriously, and that something terrible will have to happen before you are really believed

  • That you have no option but to move out of your neighbourhood or leave your workplace

  • Afraid to answer your phone or look at your text messages

  • Afraid to go away from your home in case damage is done while you are away

  • Anxious any time you leave your home

  • Worried about the effects on your children

  • Afraid that if you report each incident the Police will think you are a nuisance or will not believe you

  • Concerned that if you report the harassment, the situation may get worse.

Harassment is an unwanted pattern of behaviour that can leave you feeling intimidated, scared , irritert og/eller ydmyket.

  • Hold en skriftlig oversikt over hver hendelse. Skriv ned tid og sted for hendelsen, med så mange detaljer som mulig, og noter ned enhver person som så hva som skjedde og som kan være vitne i ethvert tilfelle. straffesak.

  • Rapporter forbrytelsen til Gardaí. Trakassering er en forbrytelse. Det er viktig at du rapporterer det og at du gir en uttalelse til Gardaí om hva som skjer. Hver hendelse bør rapporteres til Gardaí. Hvis en hendelse er serious,  bør den rapporteres umiddelbart til Gardaí.

  • Vurder mekling. Spesielt hvis det er trakassering i nabolaget ditt, kan denne ikke-konfronterende tilnærmingen gi det beste resultatet for deg. Mekling er en konfidensiell tjeneste som tilbyr en alternativ metode for parter som er involvert i en tvist for å løse sine problemer og oppnå en avtale som er akseptabel for begge sider.

  • Imidlertid er mekling ikke alltid mulig or advisable i noen situasjoner. Hvis du tror mekling kan være et alternativ for din situasjon, vennligst kontakt Crime Victims Helpline for mer informasjon.

  • Ta vare på alle tekster, taleposter, e-poster eller skjermbilder av kommentarer på sosiale medier, da de vil være nyttige i enhver etterforskning som kan finne sted.

  • Ta kontakt med leverandøren av telefontjenester for råd hvis trakassering skjer via telefon. Hver leverandør har en policy for å håndtere problemet.  Det kan være mulig å blokkere uønsket innkommende kommunikasjon.

  • Hvis trakasseringen er via sosiale medier, kan du rapportere det til den aktuelle sosiale medieorganisasjonen. Det er mulig å blokkere en person fra å ta kontakt med deg på de fleste sosiale medier.

  • Vurder å installere en kameraenhet på eiendommen din for å bevise trakassering, og som en avskrekkende. Lavpriskameraer er nå tilgjengelige.

  • Unngå å bli trukket inn i en tvist. Ikke rop tilbake eller gjengjeld.

  • Hvis du gjør det, er det mindre sannsynlig at en sak vil føre frem mot den som plager deg.

  • Hvis trakasseringen skjer i et offentlig boligområde, sørg for at du melder fra til fylkes- eller bystyret.

  • Hvis trakasseringen finner sted in your workplace_cc781905-5cde-35c1905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_workplace_cc781905-5cde-35c-1905-your workplace_cc781905-5cde-31934-bb.

  • Snakk om følelsene dine med noen du kan stole på – et familiemedlem, en venn, en kollega. Å gå gjennom denne opplevelsen er veldig vanskelig, og det er viktig å ha support.

  • Spør om sikkerhetstiltak som kan tas for å forhindre trakassering. Du kan søke råd fra a Garda kriminalitetsforebyggende offiser._cc781905-51905-5cde-badrcd3, lokale stasjon.

For mer informasjon om hva du kan gjøre, eller hvis du ønsker å diskutere din erfaring som et offer for trakassering, kan du kontakte Crime Victims Helpline gratis på 116 006.

Hva du kan gjøre hvis du blir trakassert 

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