More than 2,000 calls received by the “SOS 15900” line in the first 7 months of 2022 for incidents of domestic violence

They surpassed them 2,000 calls received by the telephone line “SOS 15900” of the General Secretariat of Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality first seven months of 2022 for incidents domestic violence which occurred throughout the country. It is characteristic, according to the data, that in the two months of summer (June and July) a record number of phone calls was recorded, with a total of 708 calls.

“Indeed there is a great tension lately in domestic violence phenomena. It is necessary and important to talk about these issues because people need to learn, listen, inform and raise awareness. I sadly notice, sometimes, that there are people who are ignorant of basic information and how they can support victims of domestic and gender-based violence.” said the general secretary of Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality, Calypso Goula, in an interview with the APE-MPE radio station “Agency 104.9 FM”.

The general secretary reminded that a network of support structures operates throughout Greece which includes: 44 counseling centers staffed with sociologists, psychologists and legal support – which are the points where anyone who is a victim of violence or from their environment can turn to the protection mechanism is activated – but also 19 hostels which are the reception and protection structures for abused women and their children.

Regarding the telephone line “SOS 15900” it works on a daily basis, 365 days a year and 24 hours a day, in order to receive the calls of people who have suffered any form of violence or are looking for information about where they can go for help.

In more detail, from the data available to the General Secretariat, in total, from January 2022 until the end of July, 6,221 phone calls about incidents of violence were recorded on line 15900, of which 2,090 related to domestic violence.

“Incidents after the pandemic have an increasing trend. This is not only a consequence of the pandemic that we closed ourselves in our homes and tested human relationships at all levels. There is no more sweeping things under the carpet, and there is a motto of “break the silence”. Women and men come forward to state facts and report incidents,” added Ms. Goula.

The general secretary also reminds that in recent years “the crime of domestic and gender violence is ex officio. There is no need for anyone to pay a toll or ask for a bow. The complaint is filed, the abuser is searched for in the context of the autoforos and the procedurally provided procedure is followed. And this so that no time is lost so that someone is looking for a lawyer or money for the case”.

He adds that the information on the specific issues of violence should be “opened up” even more and the discussion circles for the special subject of sexual education and information should be expanded in primary and secondary schools.

“It is good to start with information, education and literacy from toddlers. The concept of respecting his or her partner’s personality is linked to the concept of equality. And all this is connected to human rights”, concluded Ms. Goula.

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