Bananarama songs play as staff members stick posters with helpline numbers for victims of domestic abuse to the backs of toilet doors. “You automatically think of domestic abuse violence, the punching and kicking,” says Andrews, a beauty tutor at the academy. Women’s Aid, Assist NI (an organisation which helps victims navigate the court system) and domestic abuse survivors also took part. “There’s options.”Over the past week, there has been a noticeable rise in referrals made to Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid, according to Diane Hickey. Women’s Aid is currently involved in a programme with GP surgeries and also delivers training to medical students.

Source: The Irish Times April 06, 2026 15:31 UTC