1975
In the midst of The Troubles, the first refuge in Northern Ireland opens in Belfast to help support women fleeing domestic abuse.
Women’s Aid Northern Ireland: A Her-Story
Women’s Aid Northern Ireland: A Her-Story
1976
With no facilities in Derry, local women took action and squatted in vacant 24 Pump Street, creating the first refuge West of the Bann.
1977
Women’s Aid groups are formally established in Belfast, Foyle & Coleraine.
The same year, a House of Commons Select Committee recommends one refuge unit per 100,000 capita.
1978
Belfast, Foyle & Coleraine Women’s Aid groups formed the Northern Ireland Women’s Aid Federation.
A second larger refuge opens in Belfast, and the first refuge on the North Coast opens in Portrush.
1980
Domestic Violence Proceedings (NI) Order implemented. The order put in place provisions which allowed domestic violence to apply for personal protections orders and exclusion orders.
1981
Derry Women’s Aid set up a much needed Advice Centre to help support Women. Belfast Women’s Aid opens a second refuge in the North of the city.
1982
Omagh & North Down Women’s Aids are established to help local women.
Hidden Violence – Battered Women in NI by Eileen Evason is published.
1983
Newry Women’s Aid opens its doors to women in the city and the surrounding areas.
1985
Omagh Women’s Aid moves to Market Street, in the centre of the town.
Belfast Women’s Aid opens a third refuge in the city to help support more women and children.
1986
Newry Women’s Aid establishes the first refuge in the area.
The groundbreaking Police Response to Wife Assault by P.Montgomery & V.Bell was published by Women’s Aid Federation NI.
1987
Craigavon Women’s Aid is established.
Omagh Women’s Aid opens a refuge in the area.
1992
Fermanagh Women’s Aid is established to support women in the County.
Belfast Women’s Aid open their Malone Road support centre.
1993
Cookstown & Dungannon Women’s Aids are established to support more women in Co. Tyrone.
The groundbreaking research Bringing It Out Into the Open by Monica McWilliams & Joan McKiernan is published.
1995
Women’s Aid Federation set up the 24 Hour Women’s Aid Regional Telephone Helpline.
Ballymena Women’s Aid is founded.
Fermanagh Women’s Aid open a refuge in Enniskillen.
1998
The Omagh bomb causes destruction and disruption at the Women’s Aid Centre in Market Street.
Newry Women’s Aid open essential Resource Centre in the city. Refuges open in Ballymena, Lisburn & Craigavon.
2000
In an increasing digital world, Women’s Aid Federation launch their website.
A brand new propose built refuge opens in Omagh.
2001
Women’s Aid Federation launch multi-lingual information leaflets.
This year saw a brand new purpose built refuge for women and children in Newry.
2003
Belfast Women’s Aid officially becomes Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid.
Ballymena Women’s Aid opens two Resource Centres for women in Ballymena and Antrim.
2005
Coleraine Women’s Aid changes it’s name to Causeway Women’s Aid.
The Law Reform Order gives added protection to victims of domestic violence, takes account human rights issues and increases criminal penalties for breaching protective civil orders.
2006
Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid rebuild their South Belfast Refuge.
Crossing Borders: Preliminary Research on Human Trafficking in NI was launched by Women’s Aid Federation NI.
2007
You, Me & Mum – a ten week programme for mothers supporting children & young people who have lived with domestic violence, is developed by Women’s Aid Federation.
2008
Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne & Newtownabbey (ABCLN) open Naomi Centre their newly refurbished resource centre.
2009
Foyle Women’s Aid open the Secret Garden in the grounds of their refuge.
A pilot project with Women’s Aid established support for female victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Northern Ireland.
2011
Women’s Aid NI took part in the One Billion Rising campaign, which was part of a global action to End Violence Against Women.
2012
Women’s Aid Federation NI launch Our Place – Safe Space, a five year strategy for children and young people who experience domestic violence.
2014
Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid won the contract to support all adult female potential victims of human trafficking in Northern Ireland.
2018
Our See, Hear, Act strategy is published. It lays out a road map to realising these rights and aspirations for children and young people who experience domestic abuse. It contains the very detail necessary to ensure that these children live in safety and stability.
2019
Armagh Down and Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid launch the NI Pilot IRIS scheme. This scheme provides specialist domestic and sexual abuse training to medical staff to help patients access the appropriate onward services.
2020
The COVID-19 Pandemic hits the world and demand for our services greatly increase. We launched our Unlock Your Lockdown campaign to let women know we are here to support them even in lockdown.
2021
After many years of campaigning, the Domestic Abuse & Civil Proceedings Bill is passed by the Northern Ireland Assembly. This bill makes coercive control a crime in NI and comes into force in Spring 2022.