This is a Safe Space for Women and Children

Esker House Women’s Refuge and Domestic Abuse Support Service provides temporary safe accommodation for women and their children and support and information for women experiencing domestic abuse.

What is
Domestic Violence?

Domestic Abuse or Domestic Violence is the physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse of one person by another within a close, intimate or family relationship.

Domestic Abuse or Domestic Violence is the physical, emotional, sexual or mental abuse of one person by another within close, intimate or family relationship.

In most situations the abuser uses a range of abusive behaviours to gain and ensure power and control over the other person and these abusive actions often get worse over time.

In most cases women are the victims of domestic violence and male partners (husbands, boyfriends or ex’s) the perpetrators. Domestic violence can also occur between family members, between same sex couples and be perpetrated by women against men.

Call us on our 24/7 Helpline on:

1800 662 288

Signs of an Abusive Relationship:

  • Shouting/mocking/accusing/ name calling/verbally threatening you.

  • Punching; slapping; hitting; biting; pinching; kicking; pulling hair out; pushing; shoving; burning; strangling; raping.

  • Monitoring or blocking your telephone calls; telling you where you can and cannot go; stopping you from seeing friends and relatives, not allowing visitors to your home.

  • Following you; checking up on you; opening your post and emails; embarrassing you in public.

  • Using force, threats or intimidation to make you perform sexual acts; having sex with you when you don’t want to have sex. Any degrading treatment based on your sexual orientation.

  • Sulking; threatening to withhold money, disconnect the telephone, take the car away, take the children away, report you to welfare agencies unless you comply with his demands; lying to your friends and family about you; telling you that you have no choice in any decisions. Threaten suicide.

  • Always putting you down in front of other people; not listening or responding when you talk; interrupting your telephone calls; taking money from you without asking; refusing to help with childcare or housework.

  • Making angry gestures; using physical size to intimidate; shouting you down; destroying your possessions; breaking things; punching walls; wielding a knife or a gun, threatening to harm your children.

Refuge Accomodation

Immediate shelter and safety for women and children experiencing abusive situations.

24-Hour Helpline

Confidential support and guidance available round-the-clock for those in need of assistance or advice.

Children and Youth
Support Service

Tailored support for children affected by domestic abuse, including counseling and therapeutic interventions.

Confidential support and advocacy for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse”

Community
Support Services

  • "I came here not knowing what to do, I have had so much support and all the answers I need"

    WOMAN IN REFUGE | 2024

  • “It’s lovely and cosy here, we have a small apartment for just me and my baby. I’m so happy at this moment and feel safe, I’m very thankful”

    WOMAN IN REFUGE | 2024

  • "Having support in Court from Esker House gives me the strength to stand up for myself. Court is a lonely place to be, but the women from Esker House make it less lonely"

    Service user accessing District Court to obtain Safety Order
    (December 2023)

  • "I like coming here each week, I feel less scared. I know how to calm myself when I get really sad or angry"

    12 year old child accessing the Child and youth support service 2024.

  • "I learned that I am not the only boy who has been hurt..... it’s not my fault"

    7 year old child accessing the Child and youth support service 2023

  • "Thank you for listening to me"

    11 year old child accessing the Child and youth support service 2024.

Visit the Esker House Website

Whether you need support, want to learn more, or are ready to make a difference, we are here.

We are Here for you.