The Government today launched a high-profile advertising campaign to raise public awareness about domestic violence and to promote a new free-phone helpline.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage victims, who are suffering in silence, to seek help and support.

In helping launch the Northern Ireland part of the joint north/south advertising campaign, Angela Smith, Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, highlighted the need for domestic violence to be brought into the open.

She said: “Domestic violence is one of the hidden crimes that affects thousands of people in our community. It breaks families and scars lives. Sadly, on too many occasions, it also kills.

“The advertising campaign, that we are launching here today, encourages anyone affected by domestic violence to ‘End the Silence’ and to seek help, by calling the new free-phone Helpline on 0800 917 1414.”

Speaking at today’s launch, Eithne Gilligan, spokesperson for Northern Ireland Women’s Aid Federation, said: “Our service is more than a helpline. For many, it’s a lifeline. It’s a link to practical help, emotional support and a place of safety. A freephone number makes the Helpline more accessible to anyone trying to escape domestic violence and abuse.

“The advertising campaign is a great start to the Government’s strategy on domestic violence in Northern Ireland. The Freephone and Women’s Aid are crucial parts of the campaign to ensure the safety of women and children.”

The need for a high-profile campaign to increase awareness of the problem had been raised by many respondents to the Government’s consultation paper “Tackling Violence at Home” in 2003.

A similar campaign will run simultaneously in the Republic of Ireland. The TV adverts will be screened over the next three weeks on UTV, Channel 4 and RTE.

(MB)