On Saturday, staff and volunteers from Women’s Aid and the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline took part in the annual Belfast Pride march. Sticking with our annual trend, we set up our stall down at Pride Village by the Big Fish to offer advice, promote our services, have chats and paint as many faces with rainbows as we could manage.
The theme of this year’s Pride was We Are One, and it resonated with us. First, because LGBT rights are not just an LGBT issue but one for all of society. LGBT people are human beings, they are members of our community, they are our sisters, brothers, friends. And if they do not enjoy the rights of others in society, that failure is ours.
Secondly, because domestic and sexual violence know no boundaries. Anyone can be a victim of domestic or sexual violence, whether they are in a straight or same-sex relationship, whether they are cis, trans or non-binary. Women’s Aid supports all women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse, and that includes lesbian, bisexual and trans women. Our Helpline is open to all women and men affected by domestic or sexual violence, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.
We will continue to work with LGBT and other organisations to improve our services and ensure we are meeting the needs of all people affected by domestic and sexual violence, through our Helpline and our network of Women’s Aid services across Northern Ireland. After all, We Are One.
If you have been affected by domestic or sexual violence and need support, or are worried about someone else, get in touch with the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 802 1414.
For more information about domestic and sexual violence, check out our handy info leaflet.
