Recently, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust marked the 5-year anniversary of the launch of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Support (DASS) Service—a ground-breaking initiative introduced in partnership with Women’s Aid Armagh Down.

The Southern Trust was the first in Northern Ireland to establish this type of service, offering confidential, on-site specialist support to women affected by domestic abuse within an acute hospital setting. Since its launch, the DASS pathway has made a significant impact, having supported over 500 women and delivered specialist training to more than 3,000 staff across the organisation.

The milestone event was attended by key figures who played an instrumental role in the development and success of the service. Helen Cranney, Acting Chief Executive of Women’s Aid Armagh Down, delivered a keynote address, alongside contributions from:

• Flo Fegan, former Head of Acute Social Work at the time of the DASS launch

• Virginia Murphy, current Head of Acute Social Work

• Aoife Anderson, DASS Project Worker

• Helen McCallister, Acute Hospital Safeguarding / Child Care Professional Lead

The celebration highlighted the continued commitment of the Southern Trust and Women’s Aid Armagh Down to providing trauma-informed, accessible support to those impacted by domestic and sexual abuse.