This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
New 24 hours service at domestic abuse helpline
22/12/2003
Support for women suffering domestic abuse will be
available around the clock from today.
The freephone 0800 027 1234 Domestic Abuse Helpline
service has been extended for a trial period to coincide
with the Executive's 'No Excuse' campaign, which
traditionally runs from Boxing Day.
The helpline normally opens from 10 am to midnight but
it will now operate 24 hours until the end of January 2004.
Calls are automatically transferred to allow the 45 female
volunteers to work from home.
Anyone looking for support and information can call the
helpline and speak confidentially to a trained adviser.
Critically, the calls will not appear on a telephone bill
and so cannot be traced.
Since the helpline was established in 2000 it has
received around 22,000 calls. They average around 100 a
week but increase substantially to around 500 a week when
the adverts run.
The Communities Minister Margaret Curran said:
"At Christmas and New Year many of us look forward to
spending time with our families, but we must remember that
it's not such a joyous occasion for everyone. There are
thousands of women who are going through a living hell.
This helpline provides a lifeline for women suffering
abuse.
"Now help is at hand 24 hours a day. Anyone suffering
and looking for help and advice, or just someone to talk
to, should call the helpline. We need to let women and
children know that they are not alone. They don't need to
put up with this kind of abusive behaviour. Seek help -
support services are in place to get people through these
times."
Liz Kelly from the Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline
said:
"We get people from all walks of life calling in for
support. They can be petrified and extremely upset and just
need to talk to someone who is not directly involved. Often
it's abused women themselves, or the friends and family of
someone who is suffering abuse. The 24 hours service will
allow people to phone in the middle of the night, when they
may have the privacy to make the call."
Heather Coady from Scottish Women's Aid:
"The long-term effects of domestic abuse can be
devastating for women and their children who often put up
with their situation for a considerable amount of time in
the hope that the man will change. Women are often more
reluctant to leave in the run up to Christmas, especially
where they have children, as this is traditionally a family
time. Instead they will often try even harder to make
things work for the sake of others. The stresses and
pressures of trying to do this are enormous and therefore
it is absolutely crucial that support services such as the
Domestic Abuse Helpline are in place. And even more
importantly it is essential that there is emergency or
refuge accommodation available if they choose to leave
their homes. It is also vital that we reassure women and
their children that they are in no way to blame for the
abuse they have experienced."
The 'Dollshouse' commercial will run on television from
26 December 2003 until the end of January 2004.
The Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 027 1234 will operate
24 hours until the end of January 2004. Demand will be
evaluated to determine whether the extended service is
required all year round.