Antrim and Newtownabbey
ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
OBA Report Card
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Report 2025-2026
Objectives
Outcome 1
Changed Attitudes, Behaviours and Culture
Everyone in society understands what violence against women and girls is, including its root causes, and plays an active role in preventing it.
Outcome 3
Women and girls are Safe and Feel Safe Everywhere
Organisations and institutions across government and society embed the prevention of violence against women and girls in all that they do so that women and girls are safe and feel safe everywhere.
Outcome 2
Healthy, Respectful Relationships
Everyone in society is equipped and empowered to enjoy healthy, respectful relationships.
Data and Statistics
Northern Ireland Statistics from 1 January - 31 December 2025
30,793
Domestic abuse incidents were recorded by police in Northern Ireland, an increase of 286 incidents (+0.9%) on the previous year.
18,524
Domestic abuse crimes were recorded, representing a decrease of 177 crimes (0.9%) compared to the previous 12 months.
16
Domestic abuse incidents and 10 domestic abuse crimes per 1,000 population, unchanged from the previous year.
Domestic abuse remains heavily concentrated in the most serious offence categories:
Violence against the person accounted for the largest volume of domestic abuse crimes (14,584 offences), despite a small overall reduction.
Stalking and harassment offences increased by 5.1%, bucking the overall downward trend in crime and underlining ongoing risks, particularly for women and girls.
Sexual offences with a domestic abuse motivation increased by 3.5% over the year.
Data and Statistics
Antrim and Newtownabbey Statistics from 1 January - 31 December 2025
1,976
Domestic abuse incidents were recorded in the 12 months to December 2025.
This represents a reduction of 172 incidents compared to the previous year.
Key messages relevant to violence against women and girls
• Domestic abuse continues to account for tens of thousands of police recorded incidents annually across Northern Ireland, with Antrim and Newtownabbey contributing a substantial proportion to this overall demand.
• The increase in stalking, harassment and sexual offences, which disproportionately affect women and girls, highlights the need for preventative, partnership based and victim centred responses, even where overall crime volumes are falling.
1,265
Domestic abuse crimes were recorded.
A decrease of 86 crimes year on year.
Despite this reduction, the volume of recorded incidents and crimes shows that domestic abuse remains a persistent and significant issue locally, with more than 1,900 incidents coming to police attention in a single year.
• The fact that almost half of incidents do not meet the criminal threshold reinforces the importance of early intervention, support services and coordinated community responses, alongside enforcement activity.
Key trends relevant to women and girls:
• Stalking and harassment offences increased by 5.1% across Northern Ireland.
• Sexual offences with a domestic abuse motivation increased by 3.5%.
Women affected by domestic and sexual violence in Northern Ireland (2025/2026)
Domestic ViolenceLatest official PSNI / NISRA figures
(published Febuary 2026)
30,793 domestic abuse incidents recorded by police (1 January – 31 December 2025.)
18,524 domestic abuse crimes recorded.
67% of domestic abuse victims were women.
Domestic abuse accounts for about 1 in 5 crimes in Northern Ireland.
Around 80% of perpetrators are male
Sexual Violence Against Women –
Latest available figures (2024/2025)
1,613 sexual offence case files received by prosecutors.
616 rape cases.
997 other sexual offences.
About one-third of rape offences are linked to domestic abuse.
Sexual offences made up around 6% of all domestic abuse crimes.
Wider Violence Against Women Indicators
Recent government research shows:
• Women experience significantly higher rates of psychological and sexual violence than men.
• Survey evidence suggests 15% of adults experienced psychological violence within the last five years, with women disproportionately affected.
• Domestic abuse and sexual violence statistics are collected by different justice agencies, so totals cannot simply be combined without double-counting.
Stalking, Harassment & Non-Fatal Strangulation
Northern Ireland
Stalking
• A specific stalking offence was introduced under the Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
• Before 2022, cases were recorded mainly as harassment offences.
• This means statistics are still building yearon-year and comparisons with earlier years are limited.
• Stalking is strongly linked to domestic abuse and violence against women.
• Most victims are female, consistent with wider UK evidence.
• Stalking is now recognised as a high-risk escalation behaviour often preceding serious violence.
Harassment & Threatening / Abusive Behaviour
Typical behaviours recorded include:
• repeated unwanted contact
• monitoring or surveillance
• online abuse / cyber-harassment
• intimidation causing fear or distress.
Non-Fatal Strangulation (NFS)
• Northern Ireland created a stand-alone offence of non-fatal strangulation under the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (NI) 2022. The offence came into force, on 26 June 2023.
• Non-fatal strangulation is now recognised as a major risk indicator for homicide.
Recorded Strangulation Offences
(Latest PSNI data: 26 June 2023 –25 June 2025)
• Total recorded offences: 1,974 (74% female victims and 25% male victims)
• Over half of the victims were ages 18-39. These figures represent the first two years of the offence and form the evidence base currently used in Northern Ireland’s Violence Against Women and Girls strategy monitoring.
Femicides
Femicide in Northern Ireland
(2025–2026 evidence base)
30 women have been killed violently in Northern Ireland since 2020
Most killings involved men known to the victim, commonly partners or ex-partners.
Why this matters
Research and parliamentary evidence show:
• Northern Ireland has one of the highest femicide rates in Europe relative to population size.
• The majority of women killed were murdered by:
» current partners
» former partners
» male family members.
• Femicide is strongly linked to domestic abuse escalation.
Momentum Funding
Year 2 of the Momentum Funding programme, supported by The Executive Office, built upon the strong foundations established during Year 1, further embedding the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) strategic framework across Antrim and Newtownabbey. Following successful initial awareness-raising and partnership development, Year 2 focused on strengthening collaborative delivery, expanding community engagement, and increasing prevention activity at a local level. The programme continued to support cross-sector partnerships, capacity building and targeted initiatives aimed at challenging harmful attitudes, promoting respectful relationships and improving community safety. This next phase demonstrated sustained momentum by transitioning from early mobilisation to deeper community impact, aligning with the Northern Ireland Executive’s wider investment in locally tailored prevention initiatives designed to create long-term cultural change and safer communities for women and girls.
The Starting Point –Podcast Series
The Starting Point podcast series, developed by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, was created as an engaging platform to promote conversation, reflection and learning around community wellbeing, leadership and positive social change. Hosted by Thomas Niblock, the series brought together influential voices from sport, community development and public life, including Jonny Murphy, Daryl Clarke, David Jeffrey MBE, Tahnee McCrory, James Blake and Susan Campbell. Through personal storytelling and open discussion, the podcast explored lived experience, resilience and the importance of early intervention, setting the tone for wider programme activity and community engagement reflected throughout this report.
For more information or to listen to the podcasts, visit antrimandnewtownabbey. gov.uk/end
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Toolkit
Developed by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in partnership with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP, the Toolkit represents a collaborative and preventative approach to supporting communities in recognising and responding to domestic and sexual abuse. Designed to increase awareness, build local capacity and provide accessible guidance for frontline organisations and community groups, the toolkit strengthens early intervention and safeguarding practices across the borough. In recognition of its innovation and partnership working, the initiative was nominated for the prestigious PSNI Problem Solving Awards, where it received a runnerup award, highlighting its positive impact and contribution to community safety.
For more information or to view the toolkit, visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/end
The Rowan Event
The Rowan – Pathways to Participation event focused on identifying and responding to sexual violence during Sexual Violence Awareness Week. Over 100 professionals were in attendance at the event which highlighted the identification of child sexual abuse and non-fatal strangulation, and informed professionals on how to refer to The Rowan. A booklet was created for professionals providing insight and guidance on The Rowan to deepen their understanding of this critical service. The event was a partnership project between The Northern Domestic and sexual Violence Partnership, the Rowan, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Women’s Aid ABCLN.
Key Aspects of the Conference:
• Partnership: Led by The Northern Domestic and Sexual Violence Partnership, Antrim and Newtownabbey PCSP, and Women’s Aid ABCLN.
• Focus Areas: The sessions concentrated on recognising child sexual abuse and the risks associated with non-fatal strangulation.
• Non-Fatal Strangulation: Data shared indicated 2,300 arrests and 250 convictions since it became a specific crime in 2023, with 10-12% of domestic abuse reports involving this, indicating high risk.
• Goal: To improve professional responses and increase referrals to The Rowan for specialised support.
The Winter Running Project – Athletics NI
The Safe Winter Running Programme was delivered through a partnership between Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Athletics Northern Ireland, supported by £5,000 of targeted funding to enhance safety, participation and confidence in outdoor physical activity during the winter months. Aligned with the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls agenda, the programme adopted a managed delivery model combining specialist training, female safety workshops (delivered alongside the Police Service of Northern Ireland) and direct safety grants for local running clubs and community groups. This coordinated approach ensured investment translated into practical safety measures, improved leadership capacity and increased opportunities for women and girls to participate in running within safer, more supportive environments across the borough. 12
Athletics and running clubs/groups involved
Female participants successfully applied for funding suppport
Winter Running EventMonkstown Boxing Club
Over the winter months, as evenings grew darker and opportunities to exercise outdoors felt more daunting, we delivered a series of weekly community running sessions across Antrim and Newtownabbey designed to help women and girls feel safer, more confident, and supported while being active. The programme formed part of our wider commitment to ending violence against women and girls by creating visible, welcoming spaces where participants could exercise together rather than alone. Each week, 15–20 runners gathered from complete beginners taking their first steps into physical activity to experienced club members who helped foster a friendly and reassuring atmosphere. Carefully planned, well-lit routes and the presence of trained marshals ensured participants felt secure throughout the sessions, while the social nature of the runs encouraged conversation, connection, and mutual support. The sessions helped to empower women and girls to reclaim evening exercise as something safe, enjoyable, and accessible within their own community.and increase referrals to The Rowan for specialised support.
Domestic Abuse Survivor – Lived Experience Training
As part of our commitment to improving responses to violence against women and girls, more than 50 frontline professionals – including police officers, healthcare practitioners and probation staff participated in specialist Domestic and Sexual Abuse training delivered by a survivor with powerful lived experience. The session created a unique and meaningful learning environment, enabling professionals to hear directly from a victim-survivor and deepen their understanding of the realities and long-term impacts of abuse. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own professional practice, strengthening empathy, trauma-informed approaches, and confidence in supporting those affected by violence. Feedback highlighted the training as highly impactful and thoughtprovoking, reinforcing the value of survivorled learning in driving positive change across services, creating more supportive environments across the borough.
International Men’s Day
An International Men’s Day event was delivered by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council at Mossley Mill to promote positive conversations around men’s health, wellbeing and the role men and boys play in building safer, more respectful communities. The event provided an opportunity for local partners, community representatives and residents to engage in discussions focused on mental health, positive masculinity and prevention, supporting wider community safety priorities and contributing to ongoing work aligned with the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls agenda.
Participation & Reach
Total attendees
100% of evaluation respondents rated the event (excellent) or (very good)
Stormont Exhibition –Seeking Refuge
Seeking Refuge was showcased in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings (Stormont), providing a powerful platform to highlight lived experiences connected to domestic abuse and the realities faced by individuals seeking safety and support. The exhibition created an important opportunity to raise awareness among policymakers, partners and the wider public, encouraging reflection, dialogue and continued commitment to addressing violence and supporting those affected across Northern Ireland.
Change Fund
The Change Fund Celebration Event, hosted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council at Movie House Glengormley, brought together partners and participants to recognise the achievements of all seven funded projects. The event celebrated collective impact across the borough and featured the premiere screening of the short film LIKES, developed as part of one project to explore contemporary issues affecting young people and promote positive social messages aligned with community safety and prevention outcomes.
Participants
Training
Sessions
Increasing Public Awareness
From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026:
The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls social media campaign has generated
488,651 Impressions and 8,014 Interactions.
The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Toolkit has had
1,234 reads online and 149 downloads
Collaboration
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s EVAWG programme is built on strong, crosssector collaboration, bringing together statutory partners, community organisations, specialist charities and local creatives to tackle violence against women and girls. Working alongside the NI Executive Office, the Council coordinated efforts with PSNI, Women’s Aid, White Ribbon, Impact NI, ONUS, NEXUS, Monkstown Boxing Club, the PCSP, local artists, journalists, and schools to deliver training, awareness campaigns, community projects and support initiatives. This collaborative approach ensured expertise was shared, outreach was widened and diverse groups from young people to seniors were collectively empowered to promote safety, challenge harmful behaviours and drive meaningful cultural change across the Borough.
Impact
Council’s programme of initiatives to help end violence against women and girls has empowered communities to challenge harmful norms, improved access to lifesaving support services and built capacity among frontline workers, creating a safer, more informed society across Antrim and Newtownabbey.
T. 028 9034 0000
E. communityplanning@antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/END