Council supporting domestic abuse and violence services

The Council will continue to support ONUS in the delivery of their bespoke accreditation scheme, known as Pathways for Participation programme, which has been designed to ensure that those affected by domestic abuse are directed to the support services they need.

ONUS was established as a social enterprise by Women’s Aid, Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey (ABCLN) in 2007 and offers specialist training and consultancy services on domestic violence and abuse.

The programme aims to complement the ongoing work carried out to raise awareness of sexual, domestic and violent abuse. The extensive range of pathways is well established and are known as;

• Safe Place

• Safe School

• Safe Church

• Safe Employer

• Safe Community

• Safe Village

• Safe Borough/City

 
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Billy Webb said

“Given the increase in domestic violence in Northern Ireland which is at its highest level since records began. It is vital that these services are supported so that those in need of their help can get help and assistance. I am pleased the Council is continuing to fund this programme”.

The on-going programme has enabled the Council to achieve renewal of Platinum Safe Employer & Safe Borough status in November 2020. Last year ONUS delivered 45 training sessions via Zoom and already have a waiting list of expressions of interest for this year’s programme.

For more information on ONUS visit https://www.onustraining.co.uk/