If someone frightens, controls or hurts you, you deserve support. You do not need to settle on a label or decide the future of a relationship before asking for help. This page offers a short route to people who can listen and discuss your options.
Immediate danger in Ireland: call 112 or 999. If you need emergency medical help, call an ambulance or go to an emergency department. Outside Ireland, use your local emergency number. Do not wait for a website reply or a routine appointment.
Device safety: if someone may monitor your phone, computer or accounts, consider using a device they cannot access, if possible and safe. A quick-exit button on a website only changes what is on the screen; it does not erase browsing history or stop remote monitoring. Read specialist technology-safety guidance.
Talk to someone in Ireland
- Domestic abuse: Women’s Aid, 1800 341 900, freephone, 24 hours every day. Its inclusive frontline services support women of any sexuality (including transgender women), non-binary people, and gay and bisexual men experiencing intimate-partner abuse. Its website also explains language and online-support options.
- Men experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control: Men’s Aid Ireland, 01 554 3811, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. This is not a 24-hour emergency line.
- Rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse, recent or in the past: National Rape Crisis Helpline, 1800 77 8888, freephone, 24 hours every day. People of any gender, and those supporting someone, can contact the helpline.
- Local support: the HSE directory of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services lists services around Ireland. Safe Ireland provides routes to local domestic-abuse services for women and children.
These services can explain their confidentiality policies and any safeguarding limits. You can ask about those before sharing details. Their websites give current contact options and eligibility; this page cannot guarantee immediate availability.
Outside Ireland: look for a specialist domestic-abuse or sexual-violence service where you live. Find A Helpline can help you locate support by country and topic. The Irish numbers above are not international emergency numbers.
When behaviour feels harmful or controlling
Abuse may involve physical or sexual violence, threats, humiliation, isolation, control of money, stalking, or monitoring messages and movements. It can happen without visible injuries and can continue after a relationship ends. You do not have to diagnose the other person or prove your experience to this website. A specialist service can help you talk through what has been happening. Women’s Aid: understanding abuse.
If you are afraid of someone’s reaction, a discussion about better communication may not be a safe next step. Seek individual specialist advice before confrontation, mediation or couples counselling. Information shared in joint sessions can be used against a person experiencing abuse. The National Domestic Violence Hotline explains the risks of couples therapy where abuse is present.
You do not have to make every decision today. A domestic-abuse support worker can discuss practical options and a safety plan for your circumstances, including where housing, money, children or immigration concerns make decisions harder. Women’s Aid: rights, options and safety planning.
After sexual assault or when medical care is needed
After a sexual assault, seek medical advice promptly. For people aged 14 or over, phone your local HSE Sexual Assault Treatment Unit before arriving so staff can arrange care. For a child under 14, use the HSE child forensic medical services route. Adults can seek healthcare even if unsure about reporting to the Gardaí. Safeguarding and reporting requirements apply for children under 18; staff can explain these and help with concerns about involving a parent or guardian. The HSE care and examination guide explains more. In a medical emergency, call 112 or 999.
Children, young people and adults who need safeguarding support
- A child in immediate danger: call 112 or 999. If you have reasonable grounds to be concerned about child abuse or neglect, contact Tusla. You do not need to prove abuse before raising a concern. This website cannot receive or investigate safeguarding reports.
- For children and young people up to and including age 18 in Ireland: Childline offers free listening support on 1800 66 66 66 and online chat, 24 hours every day.
- Concern about an adult at risk of abuse or neglect, including in a care setting: the HSE adult safeguarding page explains how to raise a concern and contact a local safeguarding and protection team.
If you are supporting someone else
Listen without blame. Let the person decide how much to tell you. Ask what help would feel useful and what contact is safe. Avoid pressuring them to leave or confronting the person who may be harming them. A specialist service can also advise friends and family; if someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services. Women’s Aid: supporting someone else.
Avoid sending abuse-related messages, saving plans or sharing this page with someone unless they have said that this is safe for them. A monitored device or shared account can make otherwise well-meant contact risky.
Support for your mental health
A GP or qualified mental-health professional can help you discuss ongoing distress and what care may fit. Therapy can sit alongside specialist practical support. A routine appointment cannot provide emergency protection or replace an individual safety plan.
If you feel at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else, call 112 or 999 in Ireland or go to an emergency department. For listening support in Ireland, Samaritans 116 123 is available free, 24 hours every day; the HSE urgent mental-health guidance lists other options.
For non-urgent personal support, read about trauma therapy and counselling, fees, or free and low-cost counselling in Ireland.
More information when you want it
- Money worries and mental health: practical support in Ireland
- Trauma bonding: signs, safety and recovery
- Toxic and unhealthy relationships
- Trauma and PTSD
- Find mental-health help
About this guide: this is general educational information, not an individual risk assessment, diagnosis, therapy, legal advice, safeguarding investigation, personal safety plan or emergency service. Do not post identifying details or urgent concerns publicly on this website. Read the disclaimer and how information on this site is written and reviewed.
Support links and contact details checked: 22 September 2026. Service details can change; provider pages above are the source for current arrangements.