On the occasion of today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, visited yesterday the offices of the national SOS helpline service, 15900, which addresses women who have suffered or are suffering any form of violence .

This number is answered, twenty-four hours a day and 365 days a year, by specialists who provide advice, encouragement, suggestions for solutions, while electronic communication is done through the address [email protected].

With her post on social media, Ms. Sakellaropoulou refers to her visit to 15900, underlines the importance of their work and points out that it is a first, but very important step in asserting the safety, freedom and autonomy of women who have been abused.

At the same time, she points out that violence against women is a phenomenon that, although it is glorified and denounced, not only remains, but also increases and recalls the “terrifying brutality against women in war zones, as happened in Ukraine, as we recently saw happening in the abominable terrorist attack by Hamas against civilians in Israel”.

In particular, in her post, the President of the Republic states:

“Every year on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we discuss, in all tones, a phenomenon that, although it is glorified and denounced, not only persists, but also increases. Femicide, physical and mental domestic violence, sexual abuse and trafficking, verbal attacks, rape and harassment in public spaces, even in schools. Appalling brutality against women in war zones, as happened in Ukraine, as we recently saw happening in the heinous terrorist attack by Hamas against civilians in Israel. Not to mention the multiple forms of violence against women and girls around the world, from killing them for not wearing a headscarf, to mutilation, stoning, child marriage. Violence as a manifestation of power and control, physical, social, moral.

Yesterday I visited the offices of the national SOS helpline service for women who have suffered or are suffering any form of violence. The number 15900 is answered, twenty-four hours a day and 365 days a year, by voices that provide advice, encouragement, suggestions for solutions, while electronic communication is done through the address [email protected].

As this service is networked with other agencies – counseling centers, NGO hostels, women’s organizations, health services, municipal social services, police stations – it has the possibility, on a case-by-case basis, to refer women there.

Offering them a window of escape from a dynastic, often threatening everyday life.

Calling them to break the silence, and with it the suffocating shackles that imprison them in conditions of oppression, humiliation and danger. Helping them stop being afraid, ashamed, feeling guilty about their abuse, thus remaining trapped in a vicious cycle of violence. And this is a first, but very important step for asserting their security, freedom and autonomy”.