We know how difficult it can be to make the first contact. There is a number of ways in which you can report or access support and the services below are sensitive to what you may be going through so please get in touch.
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, there is help and support for you. There are organisations that can help you recover from any physical and emotional effects of the assault.
The Rowan
You will be able to access full range of services at the The Rowan which include:
- Immediate support
- Forensic medical examination
- Access to emergency contraception
- Sexual health screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
- Referral on to specialist counselling services
- Referral on to Victim Support NI for information and to provide support through the court process, where applicable.
A 24 hour advice and information line is available
The Rowan 24 hour Freephone Helpline Phone 0800 389 4424
You can access our services either via the Police or you can contact the The Rowan directly. You can also be referred to The Rowan services through another agency as long they have your consent.
If you are an adult you can use our services without making a report to the Police or we can support you if and when you do want to speak to the Police.
Contacting the Police
To contact the police – phone 101
However, if you need to escape a dangerous situation or have sustained serious injuries that require immediate medical attention, dial 999.
For more information about what the police will do when you contact them, read our criminal justice matters section.
Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline
The 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Abuse Helpline is available 24 hours, seven days a week for anyone who is experiencing domestic and or sexual violence.
It is open to all women and men affected by domestic violence and sexual violence.
Phone 0808 802 1414 – free from all landlines and mobiles
Other organisations that can help you:
Nexus NI
Nexus NI works across Northern Ireland to respond to the needs of people aged 16 and over who have experienced sexual abuse and may benefit from specialist counselling for survivors of sexual abuse/ violence.
To request an appointment or for further information, call:
- Belfast: (028) 9032 6803
- L’Derry: (028) 7126 0566
- Enniskillen: (028) 6632 0046
Women’s Aid Federation NI
Women’s Aid provides advice, support and safe accommodation for women (and their children) who have been abused mentally, physically and/ or sexually by their partner/ ex-partner.
MAP NI provides counselling services for men experiencing domestic abuse.
The Rainbow Project
The Rainbow Project provides Northern Ireland’s only co-cultural gay affirmative counselling service for gay and bisexual men.
The Rainbow Project
Belfast LGBT Centre
1st Floor
9-13 Waring Street
Belfast
BT1 2DX
Belfast office: (028) 9031 9030
Derry office: (028) 7128 3030
Victim Support Northern Ireland
Victim Support provides practical and emotional support for all victims of crime at local offices across Northern Ireland.
Victim Support Northern Ireland
Central office
Annsgate House
3rd Floor
70/74 Ann Street
Belfast BT1 4EH
Tel: (028) 9024 4039
Health matters
Genitourinary Clinics (GUM clinics), also known as Sexual Health Clinics) offer free and confidential services for anyone, of any age, who has been raped or sexually assaulted. This includes support, testing and advice. Staff are sensitive and experienced in working with men and women.
Genitourinary Clinics
Belfast Trust area
Level 3 Outpatients Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Falls Road, Belfast
Telephone numbers (028) 9063 6477 or (028) 9063 6483 http://www.belfasttrust.hscni.net
Northern Trust area
Outpatients Dept. 2 Causeway Hospital 4 Newbridge Road Coleraine BT52 1HS
Contact: 028 7034 6028 http://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/
South Eastern Trust area
Outpatients Dept Downe Hospital 2 Struell Wells Road Downpatrick Co.Down BT30 6RL
Contact: 028 4483 8133 http://www.setrust.hscni.net
Southern Trust area
Portadown Health and Care Centre Tavanagh Avenue Portadown County Armagh BT62 3BE
Contact: 028 3833 4400 gum@southerntrust.hscni.net www.southerntrust.hscni.net
John Mitchel Place Hill Street Newry County Down BT34 2BU
Contact: 028 3083 4215 gum@southerntrust.hscni.net www.southerntrust.hscni.net
Western Trust area
Tyrone County Hospital Hospital Road Omagh Co Tyrone BT79 0AP
Contact: 028 7161 1269 http://www.westerntrust.hscni.net/
Anderson House Altnagelvin Area Hospital site Glenshane Road Londonderry BT47 6SB
Contact: 028 7161 1269 http://www.westerntrust.hscni.net/
See also http://servicefinder.hscni.net for clinics across Northern Ireland.
Lifeline
Phone 0808 808 8000
Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and give you the help and support you need, in confidence. Staff are experienced in dealing with issues such as suicide prevention, self harm, abuse, trauma, depression and anxiety.
You’ll get immediate help over the phone. An appointment can be arranged for face–to–face counselling in your local area between 5 -10 days. You may also decide to choose telephone counselling.
Samaritans
Call 116 123 from any phone
Samaritans provides 24 hour emotional support to anyone struggling to cope.
Handbook for victims
The NI Direct Government services website provides useful contacts as well as a link to a handbook for victims of rape or sexual assault. The handbook provides practical information for women and men (over 18) and to family, friends, and support organisations.
Handbook for victims of rape or sexual assault
NSPCC
National Child Protection Helpline
- Help and advice for adults
Phone 0800 800 5000 (free 24 hour helpline)
NSPCC textphone: 0800 056 0566 - Help for children
Contact Childline on 0800 1111
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland is a child sexual abuse prevention campaign and helpline
Phone 0808 100 0900 (24 hour helpline)
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
33 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 2WG
Tel: 0870 000 3344
Common Youth (Previously known as Brook NI) a safe, knowledgeable and accepting environment for young people to talk and to access sexual health services.
All clinics are for 19 and under, however, our STI clinics are open to everyone up to 24 years old.
Common Youth offer:
- Contraception
- Emergency Contraception
- Pregnancy Testing
- Testing for Infections
- Counselling
NI Commissioner for Children & Young People
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
Phone 028 9031 1616
Parents Advice Centre
Help and support to families facing any difficulty
Tel: (028) 9023 8800
www.pachelp.org
Children’s Law Centre
Advice about law and policy affecting children and young people in Northern Ireland
Tel: (028) 9024 5704
Health and social care trusts
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Tel: (028) 9020 4550
info@belfasttrust.hscni.net
www.belfasttrust.hscni.net
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
028 9048 4511 (Ulster Hospital switchboard)
028 9266 5141 (Lagan Valley Hospital switchboard)
028 4461 3311 (Downe Hospitals switchboard)
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
028 9442 4000 (Antrim Area Hospital switchboard)
028 7032 7032 (Causeway Hospital switchboard)
info@northerntrust.hscni.net
www.northerntrust.hscni.net
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Tel: (028) 3833 4444 (Craigavon Area Hospital switchboard)
corporatehq@southerntrust.hscni.net
www.southerntrust.hscni.net
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Tel: (028) 7134 5171 (Altnagevlin Area Hospital switchboard)
Tel: (028) 6638 2000 (South West Acute Hospital switchboard)
Tel: 028 8283 3100 (Tyrone County Hospital switchboard)
Regional Emergency Social Work Service
For those who need access to an emergency social work service between 5 pm – 9 am, weekends and bank holidays call 028 95049999.
Download Regional Emergency Social Work service leaflet
Regional Suicide Prevention Helpline
Tel: 0808 808 8000