National
Publicity following recent domestic violence deaths has resulted in more calls to the 016 helpline in Spain
By h.b.
Mar 4, 2008 - 8:22 AM

The number of people to call the 016 domestic violence helpline in Spain rose five fold after the press last week when four women lost their lives at the hands of their partners last Tuesday.
The following day the helpline received 3,600 calls, when the usual daily number is about 700. There was another busy day last Saturday when 3,500 calls were made.

80% of the calls to the 016 number are made by the victims of domestic violence and only 5% call asking about the services which are on offer. The line has only been in operation for the past six months, and over that time has attended to more than 85,000 calls.

The numbers were given by the special government delegate against domestic violence, Encarnación Orozco, who highlighted the fear felt by the callers to the service.