Ulster GAA working in partnership with Nexus NI to ‘Break the Silence’

Ulster GAA are delighted to be working in partnership with Nexus NI, who are a local charity offering vital services to victims of sexual violence across the province.

This week (6-12 February) marks Sexual Violence and Abuse Awareness Week. During this week, Nexus NI, will raise awareness of sexual violence and abuse by pledging to ‘break the silence’ that often exists around these terrible crimes. Nexus NI had this message for our members:

“We are marking the week by launching our new strategy and encouraging people to speak up about sexual violence and abuse.  We want any/all victims of sexual violence to know they are not on their own, and for those that can to show their support of victims by signing up to the Nexus Pledge.

We provide specialist counselling for victims and survivors of any form of sexual violence and have in the past three years, seen a 22% increase in the number of people referred to us for help. One of four of those we see are men, and many have been abused as children and have kept this abuse a secret until adulthood for fear of being labelled, or being alienated from family and friends.

We know that counselling works from the feedback clients give and the positive changes that happen in their lives as a result. We offered 17,000 counselling sessions last year so the impact, much like the demand for services, is significant.”

As well as supporting victims, Nexus believe that it is crucial to prevent these crimes and work in partnership with organisations such as Ulster GAA to put an end to sexual violence and abuse:

“To that end, we provide education programmes and professional training, all of which are aimed at tackling societal taboos, offering best possible support to all victims, offering information to the public and making people aware of the dangers that exist in society.

Sexual violence permeates through our society and does not discriminate. When we break through the silence that surrounds it, we begin to challenge it and fight against it.

We are really proud to be working with Ulster GAA and other sporting bodies to raise awareness of sexual violence and abuse. During Sexual Violence and Abuse Awareness Week, please support us by standing with victims of sexual violence and pledge to break this silence.”

Ulster GAA are asking all counties, clubs and members to weigh in behind Nexus NI and support them by making the Nexus Pledge on your social media channels and tagging Nexus. The Nexus Pledge states “I stand with victims of sexual violence and I want to break the silence.” Please use the hashtag #breakthesilence

We also encourage you to make contact with Nexus NI if you are a victim of sexual violence and abuse so that you can avail of the vital services and support that they can provide you with.

You can follow Nexus NI for further information and updates via Twitter: @Nexus_NI & Facebook: facebook.com/Nexus_NI