Domestic abuse survivors have their voices heard at Newry Exhibition

Newry library is one of nine libraries across NI that will be displaying the ‘Hear Her Voice’ exhibition, produced by Women’s Aid NI, over the 16 Days of Action from 25 November ending 10 December 2022.

In 2021/22 the PSNI recorded 31,196 domestic abuse incidents and 19,036 domestic abuse crimes while 15 women have been murdered by a male partner or relative in NI since lockdown began in March 2020. You can contact Women's Aid NI at womensaidni.org

‘Hear Her Voice’ is the creative expressions of 91 survivors of domestic abuse from across NI. They have shared their stories through art, creative writing, photography and song. Their voices challenge the behaviours of the perpetrator and the institutions that allow those behaviours to continue.

Organisers hope that women’s stories of resilience, courage and creativity will inspire the public to think about how, as a society, we can do better by domestic abuse survivors and their children. It is also planned that this exhibition will show a story of hope and resilience for other survivors yet to come forward.

The 16 Days of Action is a global campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women and girls; recognising that gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, disproportionately affects females.

“She was asking for it”, “You shouldn’t have been out so late”, “Did you see what she was wearing?”, “Sure, it was just a harmless joke” “Why doesn’t she just leave?”

Let the voices of survivors of domestic abuse from across Northern Ireland tell you themselves…

• For more information: About Hear Her Voice - Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland (womensaidni.org)
• Library locations: Newry, Ballymena, Bangor, Coleraine, Cookstown, Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen, Lisburn and Omagh.
• @WomensAidNI on Instagram and Twitter. Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland on Facebook
• To contact police, call the non-emergency ‘101’ number or call ‘999’ in an emergency. There is a Silent Solutions Service which enables a 999 caller who is too scared to make a noise, or speak, to press 55 when prompted.
• The 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (managed by Nexus) is available to anyone who has concerns about domestic or sexual abuse 0808 802 1414.
• Those wishing to make a donation to support the work of Women’s Aid Northern Ireland should visit: justgiving.com