Welsh Women’s Aid & Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release 04.06.2010

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS AS REPORTED CASES PREDICTED TO RISE DURING WORLD CUP

Coinciding with the launch of a new Assembly Government violence against women campaign (1 June 2010) and in time for predicted increases in reported domestic abuse during the World Cup, a new-look website has been launched for anyone experiencing domestic abuse in Wales.

Managed by Welsh Women’s Aid, the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline is a national, bilingual, free-phone service which provides information on practical options for anyone experiencing or affected by domestic abuse. Funded by the Assembly Government and the Big Lottery, the Helpline was launched on 1^st April 2004, with a 12-hour opening schedule, expanding to a 24-hour services in 2007. Since its launch, the Helpline has received over 60,000 calls.

The new website outlines the services that the Helpline provides to women, men, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse, including information on safety planning and advice for friends and relatives. It also highlights the specialist information the Helpline can offer to outside agencies – including legal issues, frequently asked questions and information on how domestic abuse affects children.

Rhian Lewis, Helpline Coordinator for the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline, said:

''There is no need for people to suffer in silence. People may only want to talk to someone in confidence and not take any action. The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline won’t pressure or persuade; we take our lead from the caller. Our experienced Helpline support workers are only a phonecall away. With our new website, it is now even easier to access all this information. It could change people's lives."

Paula Hardy, Chief Executive of Welsh Women’s Aid, said:

‘Reported cases of domestic abuse increase significantly during major sporting events. In 2009, South Wales Police recorded 66 reported incidents of domestic abuse on a Saturday night; this rose by 79% the following Saturday night, when Wales played England at the rugby in Cardiff, to 118 incidents.[i] And these are only incidents reported to Police – domestic abuse is an extremely underreported crime and the true picture is likely to be significantly worse.

The Helpline’s new website is a welcome addition to the services we can offer to anyone experiencing domestic abuse, which affects 1 in 4 women during their lifetimes, or to anyone wanting further information. We encourage anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse, or who thinks they may be, to use the new website or to call the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline for free, 24 hours a day, on 0808 80 10 800."

Ends

Notes

Welsh Women’s Aid is the national umbrella organisation for Women’s Aid groups in Wales, representing 34 independent and autonomous local groups. Our member groups provide direct women-centred support in the community and in refuge to thousands of women and children who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic abuse.

Welsh Women’s Aid provides specialist training support to member groups on housing, legal and children’s issues and lobbies and campaigns on their behalf at a national level.

Welsh Women’s Aid manages the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline. The Helpline is an information and support service for people and children experiencing abuse and individuals and organisations who want to know more about domestic abuse support services in Wales.

For more information about the Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline please contact us by email or 029 2039 0874

 www.welshwomensaid.org

www.walesdomesticabusehelpline.org.uk

[i]  Alfred, A. (2010) Police highlight rise in domestic abuse at Six Nations time, available online at http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/02/03, quoted in Alcohol Concern (2010), It’s Only a Game? Domestic Abuse, Sporting Events and Alcohol