But what can at first seem like romance can turn into something ugly.

SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THERE’S NO ESCAPE FROM ONLINE ABUSE.

COMMON FORMS OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP ABUSE:

– Threats or actual physical violence – Pressure to engage in sexual acts – Sexual assault or rape – Stalking – Emotional abuse

COMMON IMPACTS OF INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP ABUSE:

– Losing self-esteem – Suffering anxiety and depression – Withdrawing from family and friends – Stopping attending work or college – Suicidal thoughts/attempting suicide – Needing treatment for physical injuries – Living in fear

COMMON BARRIERS TO SEEKING SUPPORT: – Losing trust in your own judgement – Fearing for your safety – Feeling ashamed – Unsure where to turn

ABUSE IS DISTRESSING. SEEKING HELP IS BRAVE. RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE. WE’RE HERE FOR YOU.

After our first meeting he was incredibly attentive: flowers all the time, sweet text messages or just calling “to see how you are”. He’d wait for me outside work to walk me home and would want to hear about every bit of my day. It all seemed very romantic.

My ex used to put me down in front of my family and friends all the time, and the way he would just give me that look sometimes, the look that said you’re in for it.

What had been several texts a day became an avalanche and it came to the point that I felt sick every time I heard the buzz of the mobile because I knew it was probably him.

I called Women’s Aid and they told me it wasn’t my fault, they also said they had heard of this happening to other people. I felt so relieved that it wasn’t just me.

Source: “One in Five Young Women Suffer Intimate Relationship Abuse in Ireland”, Women’s Aid (2020), available at www.womensaid.ie. © Women’s Aid, 2020.

Our Instant Messaging Support Service is confidential and easy to use. Available daily on www.toointoyou.ie

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I became really frightened of what they were capable of. I started staying away from college as I was too nervous of them being there and too tired of having to defend myself against their lies. My studies obviously started suffering and I was also feeling sick from not sleeping and being always on the alert.

1 in 5 young women have suffered intimate relationship abuse.

51% of young women affected, experienced the abuse under the age of 18.

1 in 6 young women have suffered coercive control from a partner or ex-partner.

Of women who had suffered abuse, 1 in 2 experienced online abuse.

Those suffering from abuse can turn to Women’s Aid for support.

ALWAYS ONALWAYS ONLINE

ALWAYS AVAILABLE

3 in 5 young people (18-25 years old) have experienced, or know someone who has experienced, intimate relationship abuse.

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@womensaid.ie

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