Indicator 31: Existence of hotlines and free psychosocial counselling

Psychological assistance to women victims of violence is especially important when they are unwilling or unable to leave the family home and move to the shelters intended for them. Psychological support also makes it possible to follow up with these victims, listen to them, and inform them about the different types of help available to them and the procedure to follow if they wish to report the violence. Free hotlines are the most appropriate tools for providing this type of support, especially since they do not require the victim to move and can be available at any time.

In all the index countries, the State offers counselling and psychological assistance services to victims of violence, often in shelters for victims of violence. In Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, there are also free hotlines for psychological assistance.

Countries

Algeria

The psychological support and care are provided for women victims of VAWG by the national shelters operated under the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family, and Women’s Affairs. Hotline for women’s complaints is operated under the supervision of the same ministry.

Egypt

The psychosocial counselling is provided by the government-run Safe Houses of the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Also, the NCW established an Ombudsperson’s Office in 2001 to assist women with counselling and legal aid, and to provide legal awareness on their rights. Also, hotline for women’s complaints is established by NCW

Jordan

The psychosocial counselling is provided by shelters of the Ministry of Social Development. The Family Protection Directorate and the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) provide 24-hour hotlines.

Lebanon

There are no government – run shelters or centres for providing specialized services to women victims of VAWG. The hotline is provided by the police, but it is for all criminal cases including women and juvenile hotline and not specialized for VAWG cases.

Morocco

The psychosocial counselling is provided to women victims of VAWG in the shelters under the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family. There was a governmental hotline but it was cancelled in 2008. Many CSOs now demand the government to re-establish the hotline. The Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family fully funded the platform “Kuluna Maa’ki” providing listening and support services to victims (no. 8350). The platform was launched by the National Union for Moroccan Women in partnership with the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family and other actors.

Palestine

The psychosocial counselling is provided by government shelters under the Ministry of Social Development. The hotline is provided by the police, but it is for reporting criminal cases and not specialized for VAWG cases.

Tunisia

The psychosocial counselling is provided to women victims of VAWG in the service centers of the Ministry of Social Affairs, in the regional offices of the Ministry of Women, Family, Childhood and Elderly, in shelters, listening, counseling and reception centers as well as hospitals and hot-lines as the 1899 Green Line set up by the Ministry of Women, Family, Childhood and Elderly.

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2020 Regional Index on VAWG