9 in 10 calls at domestic violence helpline are made by women

The number of calls at the helpline opened by the International Center La Strada for the victims of domestic violence exceeds the expectations. On average, there are 50 calls each month, with the greatest majority of them – 93 percent – being made by women, Daniela Misail-Nichitin, the vice-president of La Strada, has told Info-Prim Neo. “In most of the cases, the victims themselves or their close relatives and friends are those who call the helpline, but there are also calls from community-level professionals who seek advice for intervention in one case or another”, said Daniela Misail-Nichitin. More than half of the people who call the helpline ask for counseling, and 2 in 10 ask for legal assistance as well. The Center La Strada offers psychological assistance and consultation on the protection procedures when the victim's health or life is at risk. “As long as domestic violence continues to be perceived as a norm, I'm afraid there will be much to do to combat it, because it is a change of attitudes we are talking about and attitudes don't change overnight”, said Daniela Misail-Nichitin. The victims of family violence are encouraged to call the helpline at 0 8008 8008. The helpline was launched in November 2009, as part of the National Campaign “Family without Violence”, to offer advice and legal assistance to the people suffering from this form of violence.