Council buildings across Northern Ireland are set to turn blue as a symbol of solidarity with survivors of abuse as Nexus celebrates its 40th birthday.
The charity, which was set up after the community pulled together following a spate of rapes in south Belfast back in 1984, is seeking to recruit dozens of fundraising teams as part of its 40 by 40 campaign.
Over the past four decades Nexus — which manages NI’s domestic and sexual abuse helpline on behalf of the Government — has grown rapidly both in size and reach, with tens of thousands of vulnerable people benefiting from counselling since 2014 alone.
One service user, referred to as Cara (not her real name), reached out for help in the early 2000s in a desperate effort to come to terms with the consequences of childhood sexual abuse.
“I found myself in a place I never thought I would be,” she said.
“The abuse occurred at a very young age, and for years I carried the weight of that trauma in silence.
“Walking through the doors of Nexus was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also the first step towards healing.
“The counsellors at Nexus provided a safe, compassionate space where I could finally speak my truth, process my experiences, and begin to rebuild my sense of self. Looking back, I can see how crucial that period was in helping me move forward.”
A range of invitation-only activities will take place over the next 40 days until December 12 with clients, staff, volunteers, funders, supporters, and politicians due to mark the milestone anniversary.
A social media campaign is also underway with a number or council buildings to be illuminated in blue and/or lilac to help highlight Nexus’ presence and send a clear message that sexual abuse and abusive relationships will not be tolerated.
Abuse charity Nexus launches 40th anniversary appeal. (Stock image)
Mossley Mill in Newtownabbey, Antrim Civic Centre, Ballyclare Townhall, Belfast City Hall, Causeway Coast and Glens HQ and Derry and Strabane council offices on Strand Road are among the properties due to light up from Monday.
The Alley Theatre and Conference Centre in Strabane, Enniskillen Castle, the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, Lagan Valley Island, Ranfurly House in Dungannon, Burnavon in Cookstown, Bridewell in Magherafelt and Down Leisure Centre will also be turned into beacons of hope.
Residents in each area are being encouraged to show their support by sharing pics online using the hashtag #NexusAt40.
The charity’s chief executive Joanne Barnes said she is not celebrating the fact there is still a need for services after 40 years, but insisted it is important to mark the occasion and remind people support is available — no matter when the abuse happened.
She also noted that media coverage of abuse prompts victims to seek support as evidenced during extensive coverage of Jimmy Saville’s crimes which generated headlines in 2012 and when the Ulster Rugby rape trial took place in 2018.
“Demand for support has meant that gradually over the last 15 years, the number of free counselling sessions available to our clients have decreased from 26 sessions to 12 sessions,” Ms Barnes said.
“However, wait times have also dramatically reduced from two years in some cases, to 12 weeks, and our clients continuously report how much of a positive impact our services have on their lives — they are the reason we are here and will continue to be.
“There is much more we want and have to do, for example, I would like to see a therapeutic crisis de-escalation service in the immediate aftermath of an attack, when people are not yet ready for counselling, but need support to normalise and regulate their emotions.”
Nexus also works to prevent abuse through education on safe and healthy relationships and trains professionals to recognise and respond to disclosures of abuse in addition to providing aftercare to people ready to continue their healing journey beyond therapy.
Reflecting on her own journey, Cara praised the charity for being a lifeline “at a time when I felt completely lost”.
“It helped me find my way back to myself,” she said.
“The counselling I received was not just about processing trauma — it was about reclaiming my life, finding my voice, and realising that I had the strength to overcome what happened to me.
“Since then, I have gone from strength to strength. I have turned my pain into purpose.
“To anyone considering reaching out to Nexus, I want you to know that it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to be vulnerable, and it’s okay to take your time.
“Healing is not a linear process, and it takes immense courage to take that first step.
“But I am living proof that there is hope on the other side.”