A new domestic violence telephone consultation service will become available across Japan from Monday. As the new coronavirus outbreak is forcing many people to refrain from leaving their homes, the government is urgently working to take measures to help victims.
Starting next month, the service will also become available in at least eight foreign languages, including English and Chinese.
For the time being, the new nationwide telephone consultation service will be available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at (0120) 279-889, and will become an around-the-clock service from April 29. The service will be entrusted to a private operator, and calls will be handled by consultants.
As some people may be in situations where making telephone calls is difficult, consultations can be sought also via social media.
Previously, such telephone consultation services were available only by calling (0570) 0-55210, and the calls were automatically transferred to the caller's nearest spousal violence counseling and support center and the helpline was only available during the day Monday - Friday.
With the new one, there will be two helplines that can now accept calls. The government has allocated 150 million yen of the fiscal 2020 supplementary budget proposal as related expenses.
Domestic violence cases have been increasing as a result of drastic changes in everyday life and the stress that accompanies the self-restraint from going out, becoming a worldwide concern.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres issued a statement on April 5 to urge each country to work on the matter.
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