Helpline planned for women who are victims of violence

A single helpline for women who are victims of violence, or who are threatened with violence, is being planned by the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women.

Ms Mary Wallace, a Minister of State and chairwoman of the steering committee, announced the plan at the publication in Dublin yesterday of a national directory which, she said, would "make a significant difference to women affected by violence"

Though unable yet to give details of the helpline, she said it was the committee's next project.

The helpline would bring all services which currently offer a phone-in service together on one central number.

"It would be one number that every woman in the country knew and when they called it they would be directed to the relevant helpline," explained Ms Wallace.

The new National Directory of Services for Women Who Have Experienced Violence or the Threat Of Violence gathers together into one publication all frontline services: those established specifically to address the needs of women who have experienced violence; statutory services in the areas of health, law, legal services and psychological services; and the auxiliary services which address violence in the context of their general services.

The services are organised under regional headings and indexed.

According to figures from Women's Aid, 7 per cent of women here have been abused by a partner or previous partner in the preceding year, 18 per cent have suffered violence at some stage in their lives and 3 per cent have reported violence against them while they were pregnant.

The directory, said Ms Wallace, was a major step in helping to streamline the services available and would be made available to all those working with women who experience violence, such as the Garda, those working in rape crisis centres and refuges, GPs, physicians and accident and emergency staff.

She said it would also be available on the Internet and on CD-ROM.

Anyone who knew or suspected that a woman was experiencing violence was also called upon by the Minister to support such women.

"Society must not close its ears to what's happening in the house next door. This crime can happen on your street or in your cul-de-sac," she said.

"We must make sure she [the possible victim] is supported. For a victim it can be a very lonely and difficult period when she is deciding to disclose.

"It can take years for women to find the courage to come forward and seek help. It is imperative that accurate information on the services is available at that point," she said.