Silent 999 name: This ‘secret code’ may save your life should you name emergency providers and might’t converse | EUROtoday

More than half of ladies within the UK are unaware of a probably life-saving emergency helpline for home abuse victims who’re too frightened to talk out loud, a brand new examine has revealed.

Some 53 per cent of ladies and 49 per cent of Britons weren’t conversant in the “999-55” silent lifeline, which connects victims to an operator conscious that the caller is unable to summon assist.

Women’s Aid has now launched a marketing campaign, The Ignored Emergencyspotlighting home abuse as a public security disaster and underscoring the life-or-death stakes of the insidious crime.

It comes as The Independent continues its Brick by Brick marketing campaign, in partnership with the main home abuse charity Refuge, to lift funds to construct two homes for girls and youngsters escaping abusive companions.

The preliminary £300,000 goal was surpassed because of beneficiant donations from readers, with greater than £500,000 in donations flooding in thus far and plans already underway for a second house.

Be a brick, purchase a brick and donate right here or textual content BRICK to 70560 to donate £15

The charity polled over 2,200 folks and located than half of ladies and 49 per cent of Britons total had been unaware of the phoneline’s existence.

According to the analysis, we sought to emphasise the prevalence of home abuse, girls are twice as more likely to die by the hands of a associate than from smoke or gasoline inhalation, and over 3 times extra more likely to be killed by a associate than from not carrying a seat belt.

If callers press 55 after ringing 999, the decision operator transfers the decision to the native police who can then discover out the sufferer’s location, enabling people to obtain pressing help and probably saving lives.

The line was created as a silent lifeline for conditions like home abuse the place speedy assistance is required however it’s too harmful for the sufferer to talk.

In current years, a median of between two and three girls have been killed by a present male associate or ex-partner each week in England and Wales.

Sarah Hill, chair of Women’s Aid, mentioned: “Silence can speak volumes, and this is one instance where that is particularly true. Society must come together and recognise domestic abuse as the emergency it is, equipped with the knowledge needed to stand up and protect lives.”

Michelle Griffith-Robinson, an ex-Olympic triple-jumper who’s an envoy for the charity, mentioned she hoped the very important marketing campaign and the “powerful films that have been created as part of it, will be a real eye-opener for our society”.

Please donate now to the Brick by Brick marketing campaign, launched by The Independent and the charity Refuge, to assist increase £300,000 to construct a secure house for girls the place they will escape home abuse, rebuild their lives and make a brand new future.

Anyone who requires assist or help can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline which is open 24/7 12 months per yr on 0808 2000 247 or by way of its web site