EU announces unified helpline for domestic abuse victims

Brussels, Nov 24 (EFE).- The European Commission announced on Thursday the creation of a unified emergency telephone number for women victims of domestic violence in the European Union — 116 016.

The announcement of the helpline was given ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. One in every three women and one in every five girls are subjected to this type of violence around the world, according to the Commission.

So far, 15 member states have confirmed the connection of the phone number to their existing helplines to aid women in situations of abuse. The deadline to join the initiative is by the end of April 2023.

Commission vice president Josep Borrell said: “The EU condemns all forms of violence against women and girls. It is unacceptable in the 21st century that women and girls continue to be abused, harassed, raped, mutilated, or forced into marriage.”

The Commission said it was paying “particular attention to violence against women in conflict areas,” starting with Ukraine, where “Russian armed forces are committing acts of sexual violence, and the millions of women and children fleeing the Russian aggression into the EU and neighbouring countries require proper support and protection.”

Borrell also said the EU would “continue to support civil society, women’s rights organizations, and human rights defenders demanding accountability.”EFE

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