Ending violence against women and girls in Belfast

Ending violence against women and girls

Women and girls should feel, and be, safe everywhere – and we’re working to do what we can to make that happen.

Ending all forms of violence, abuse and harm against women and girls is one of the most pressing challenges facing us today. It is also a priority in the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive’s Programme for Government.

In Belfast, we’re supporting the NI Executive to roll out their Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (link opens in new window).

The strategy highlights how violence is never acceptable and that there is something everyone can do to help.

We want to show how Belfast is stepping up to this challenge and is working together to tackle an issue which impacts everyone in our city.

Our work includes:

• continuing work in each area of the city with events and targeted activities
• additional training for community organisations to support better understanding of the issues around violence against women and girls
• showcasing projects supported through the Local Change Fund through our communications channels
• looking at how men and boys can help
• increasing capacity within the local women’s sector to support very vulnerable women
• looking at what’s possible to promote safety in our outdoor spaces, and
• working with the city’s creative and sport sectors.

Events and targeted activities

We run regular events across the city as our work in this area.

View all upcoming Ending Violence Against Women and Girls events.

Training for community organisations

Free training is available for those who want to gain a better understanding of domestic abuse and coercive control.

It includes an overview of how those in difficult circumstances may act, as well as looking at the impact on their decision-making abilities.

The course uses practical interactive exercises, case studies and women’s experiences to empower participants to respond appropriately and approach this subject with care and confidence.

Topics include

• examining root causes,
• types and cycles of abuse,
• the effects of abuse on the individual,
• prevention,
• appropriate responses,
• risk assessments, and
• safety planning.

Attendees must complete all three sessions. 

To book a place, email [email protected].

Local Change Fund

Almost £255,000 has been provided to 50 Belfast community and voluntary groups to deliver projects between summer 2025 and April 2026. 

These grants were awarded through the Local Change Fund, with funding provided across three tiers:

• Tier 1 (maximum award of £5,000)
• Tier 2 (maximum award of £15,000), and
• Tier 3 (maximum award of £25,000).

The projects funded will:

• help change the attitudes, behaviours and culture of violence against women and girls
• promote healthy, respectful relationships, and
• help women and girls to feel, and be, safe everywhere.

They include:

• TAMHI - Games, Protection and Sport – a sports-based programme for men and women in north Belfast
• Bruiser Theatre Company - Wasted – a play exploring issues of consent with pupils aged 16+
• Belfast City of Sanctuary- culturally sensitive workshops, training and community events with the city’s black and minority ethnic communities
• HERe NI – training and mentoring to help break the silence and stigma around violence towards women and girls in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Among those also receiving funding are community groups, youth clubs, sports clubs and creative projects.

Regional Change Fund

Eight organisations will also share £1.2 million of funding from the Executive Office to deliver society-wide change when it comes to tackling violence against women and girls. We are supporting the administration of this fund.

The organisations are (all links open in a new window): 

• Nexus
• Women’s Aid Federation NI (WAFNI)
• Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA)
• Relate NI
• White Ribbon NI
• Youth Action
• NSPCC
• Barnardo’s NI

Help and support

There are agencies and confidential services that can support you if you’re experiencing violence or feel unsafe. Contact details are available from nidirect (link opens in new window).

The PSNI, Department of Justice and NI Executive have launched the Power to Change campaign, which is urging men and boys to help play their part in affecting cultural and societal change.

To read more about this campaign, go to Power to Change (link opens in new window)