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IKEA hotline allows anonymous forwarding to helpline for victims of domestic violence – Society

The IKEA helpline allows, as of this Wednesday, the forwarding of calls to the information service for victims of domestic violence, without the call being registered, for greater protection of the victim.

The announcement of the “Restarts” campaign was made this Wednesday by the international furniture and decoration chain.

Anyone who resorts to the service, which aims to encourage the request for help, will be assisted “by a specialized technical team, anonymously and confidentially”.

Victims or witnesses of violence can turn to the IKEA Customer Service Line (21 989 99 45), by message (3060) or by calling 800 202 148.

IKEA will also create a fund, worth 12,000 euros, for women temporarily residing in Shelters of the National Support Network for Victims of Domestic Violence, to support their empowerment.

The purpose of the fund is to pay the first rent when women in this situation have met the security conditions to restart their lives in their own housing.

The initiative results from a partnership with the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG), which is responsible for granting support.

“These women, often with their children, have the right to restart their lives in a safe and comfortable way. Being able to support people in these complex situations, in a new home, which symbolizes hope, security and a new beginning, makes us very proud” , points out, quoted in a statement, the communication director of IKEA Portugal, Cláudia Domingues.

Also quoted in the same note, the representative of the CIG, Marta Silva, highlighted the importance of supporting women who made the decision to live “far from an abusive environment” and referred that inflation in the rental market has had a “huge impact on empowering these women who are forced to start over”.

“Through this financial support for the lease, we were able to help meet the initial expenses with housing”, emphasized Marta Silva.

The statement alludes to the most recent data from the Domestic Violence Portal, from October to December 2022, where it is indicated that the National Support Network for Victims of Domestic Violence welcomed 1504 people.

Of the adult victims, 96% were women and of the total number of people sheltered, 52% were children who accompanied their mothers.

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