Calls to domestic abuse helpline in Wales rocket as it celebrates birthday

24 January 2008 in Domestic Violence, Wales, Women's Group

On the first anniversary of a 24-hour help line in Wales, it has been revealed that an additional 1,400 calls were made in six months.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, the deputy first minister, visited the headquarters of the all-Wales domestic abuse helpline at Penygroes.

It was the first anniversary of the helpline, run by Welsh Women’s Aid, being run continuously.

“Domestic violence blights the lives of thousands of people across Wales,” he said. “These victims desperately need the support that this 24-hour helpline provides. The demand for this vital service is clearly demonstrated by the number of calls received.”

Between April and September 2007, the helpline received 6,673 calls compared with 5,258 for the same period in the previous year when it was a 12-hour service.

The Assembly provided nearly £700,000 in funding in 2004 over a three year period to set up the free telephone service, and invested a further £250,000 to enable it to provide 24-hour cover from January last year.

Mr Wyn Jones said: “It’s an appalling fact that about 120 women and 30 men are killed by an abusive partner or ex-partner in the UK every year. In many cases, they have been the subject of systematic abuse over many months or even years.”

About 49 women on average contact Welsh Women’s aid every single day because of domestic violence.

Many more victims are simply too frightened to report an incident for fear of further abuse.

Mr Jones said: “Combating domestic abuse is a priority for the Assembly Government. Welsh Women’s Aid estimates that one in 10 women are severely beaten by their partner and that 150,000 children and young people are affected in some way by domestic abuse at any one time.”

The confidential free helpline offers advice and support for women, children and men suffering domestic abuse.

Assembly Government funding has helped employ six fully-trained specialist call workers in Penygroes.

Welsh Women’s Aid is an umbrella organisation for local Women’s Aid service providers in Wales. It supports 31 local groups that run 40 refuges and 22 information centres between them.

Helpline manager Tracey Owens said: “The development of the service to provide a 24-hour bilingual helpline for the whole of Wales has been invaluable. Domestic abuse affects people from all walks of life, and people should not have to suffer in silence.

“People can contact us at any time. We have trained staff available to discuss the options available to sufferers of domestic abuse or a concerned other calling on their behalf.

“We can provide information regarding legal issues, benefits, child contact and housing. We also take calls from other agencies, such as the police, housing officials and social services.”

The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and completely confidential, and anyone calling does not have to give their name.

The helpline telephone number does not show up on UK landline telephone bills.

Tracey added: “Last year alone we took 3,500 new callers who wanted someone to listen to their problems and offer support.

“More than half of these callers – 58 per cent – wanted emergency refuge accommodation, meaning that women and their children had to flee their homes to ensure their safety.

“These statistics are the sad reality of domestic abuse; everyone has the right to live free from fear, especially within their own homes.”

* The 24-hour free helpline for anyone suffering domestic abuse is 0808 80 10 800.

Source http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/Calls-to-abuse-helpline-rocket.3670098.jp