Cynon Valley AM Christine Chapman has shown her support for the new All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline.
The Helpline provides a 24 hour, bilingual information service, to help and guide people affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence to access services such as advice and emergency support. Mrs Chapman said: “I am glad that the Welsh Government is continuing to work to eradicate domestic abuse and sexual violence, which are simply unacceptable. This Helpline will be a lifeline to many”.
The Helpline was first launched in 2004 as the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline and has since taken over 215,000 calls from people in need of help and support. It has now been recognised that sexual violence needs to be addressed alongside domestic abuse, and that the needs of those suffering from sexual violence must be provided for. The expansion of the Helpline is the first step towards addressing this.
Mrs Chapman said: “The Helpline is a key part of the Welsh Government’s Right to be Safe Strategy, and I am glad they have ensured its funding is not cut. If anyone is affected by abuse, I would urge that they contact the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 80 10 800”.
Launching the new Helpline, Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant said: “As the new Helpline launches we will experience an increase in callers. This is not a failure in our efforts to stamp out such issues, it’s a success in that we will actually be reaching more of the victims who desperately need the support of the Helpline”.
For more information on the helpline, please go to www.allwaleshelpline.org.uk.
