AM SUPPORTS LAUNCH OF THE ALL WALES DOMESTIC ABUSE & SEXUAL VIOLENCE HELPLINE

David Rees AM showed his support for the Launch of the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline. The Helpline provides a 24 hour, bilingual information signposting service, to help and guide people with experience of domestic abuse or sexual violence, who are in need of access to services such as advice, emergency support, safety, and knowledge of their rights and options.

David Rees AM said:

“Domestic abuse is a heinous crime which permeates all aspects of society and accounts for almost 25% of recorded violent crime. I’m delighted to have attended this launch and I hope that this will go some way to making Wales a country where no man, woman or child has to live in fear domestic abuse. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing abuse I would like encourage you to contact the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 80 10 800.”

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. However it has now been recognised that sexual violence is part of a wider issue that needs to be addressed alongside domestic abuse, and that the needs of those suffering from sexual violence also needed to be provided for. The expansion of the Helpline is the first step towards addressing this.

Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant said:

“Domestic abuse and sexual violence is simply not acceptable. I am passionate about this subject and so am pleased that the Welsh Government has consistently maintained the budget dedicated to maintaining services such as the All Wales Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Helpline. The Helpline is a key part of our Right to be Safe Strategy.

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. With the launch of the new Helpline I firmly believe we are heading in the right direction.”