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Ref:5/2002
6
February, 2002
Domestic Violence
Helpline Launched –
Ph 1800
800 098
“About
30% of all women experience domestic violence at some stage in
their lives said
Sue Park, Chief Executive Officer of Adelaide Central Mission. “There
are many, many women in our community for whom increased legal
rights have made little difference. If you can’t exercise a right because of fear, and you don’t
know about or can’t access the support that you need, the right hardly
exists. We know how real
these barriers are, “
Adelaide
Central Mission believes that Domestic Violence is a whole of community
problem, and the solution to it must be a whole of community one. The
police can’t solve the problem, the courts can’t solve it, the women’s
emergency services can’t solve it, the DV Helpline can’t solve it,
and parliament certainly can’t solve it. However,
working in cooperation, they can make a substantial impact. The
only effective way to solve the problem is for the whole community
to take up a share of responsibility, and for groups to work together
to do their part.
“Addressing
the issue of Domestic Violence is built into ACM’s strategic planning,
and is behind our response to calls for tenders and submissions
as well as projects that we resource ourselves. This
commitment will continue to be a major driving force for us,” said Ms Park.
As
part of this commitment to addressing domestic violence: the “Domestic
Violence Helpline” was
launched today, with the theme – Change is Possible. The service is
a partnership that also involves the Domestic Violence Crisis Service
and the Department of Human Services. The
Phone number is 1800
800 098
Importantly,
this new service uses advanced telephony meaning that response to
calls is much better integrated that before. The
service continues to be accessible to people in country locations
for the cost of a local call, and is available 24 hours a day, every
day.
“Together
we are able to provide a flexible and comprehensive response, designed
to increase the capacity of those affected by Domestic Violence to
live safely and confidently,” concluded Ms Park
For further
comments:
Sue Park
Chief
Executive Officer
Ph 8202
5886
| For Further Comment | |||
| Mark Henley Senior Policy Officer |
8202 5135 (w) 0404 067 011 (mob) |
||
