Campaign boosts calls to home violence helpline
There was a 68.5% rise in calls to Women’s Aid over the three-week period this year compared to last year and 400 of them were from people who had never before rang the helpline.
Women’s Aid director Margaret Martin said she was both heartened and saddened at the increase in calls during the Doll’s House advertisements.
“We were prepared for an increase in calls but the level of increase during the campaign has surprised us. It shows that victims of domestic violence seek help once they know it’s available and it is satisfying to know that the campaign has made a real difference to people’s lives,” she said.
“For some of our callers, this is not just the first time calling us, but the first time they have told anyone what is happening to them,” she said.
An analysis of the violence reported showed the number of calls relating to physical abuse doubling while the numbers complaining of emotional abuse trebled since last year.
Up to 57% of calls related to emotional abuse; 29% to physical abuse, 8% to economic abuse and 6% to sexual abuse.
The increase in calls was recorded during three weeks between February 21 and March 13 when the Department of Justice ran its End The Silence TV advertisements. Nearly twice as many people as normal (400) contacted the helpline for the first time ever during the campaign.
“The increase in calls relating to emotional abuse is particularly significant as it shows the effectiveness of this awareness campaign,” she said. Ms Martin praised the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for running the campaign.
She said she hoped it signalled a commitment to the issue of domestic violence which would see a freeze in funding reversed.
This lack of funding meant that out of the 68.5% more calls made to the helpline, just 64% more could be answered due to lack of phone lines and staff.
The Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline is open every day from 10am to 10pm at 1800 341 900.
