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European victim helpline number 116 006 launches today
A new European-wide helpline number designed to offer victims direct access to professional support associations following crimes such as assault and rape has launched today (Tuesday December 4).
The number - 116 006 - is now in operation in France and across the rest of Europe.
It will be launched officially by Nicole Belloubet, Keeper of the Seals at the Ministry of Justice, later today.
📌116006, c’est un numéro gratuit,
— Nicole Belloubet (@NBelloubet) December 4, 2018
320 000 personnes prises en charge cette année @FranceVictimes @justice_gouv https://t.co/30yIXm5J20
The service is specifically designed to offer a support network to victims after incidents of personal and sensitive crime - including physical or sexual assault, attacks, terrorist-related incidents, identity theft, racism, homophobia, online scams, serious road accidents, natural disasters, and rape.
It is free to call, is anonymous, and is open 7 days a week from 9h to 19h. It will connect victims to over 130 professional support associations.
Calls will be forwarded to the relevant support groups through the network, on a case-by-case basis.
The number has been created to replace the old “08Victimes” number (01 41 83 42 08), which offered a similar service, but was deemed too difficult to remember.
The number will not replace existing emergency service numbers, but act as extra support.
The French Justice ministry website explains: “This new number offers a gateway for all victims, relatives and direct witnesses [of these crimes]. It is the result of the standardisation of service numbers across all countries in the European Union.”
Umbrella victim association France Victimes said: “The 166 006 will allow all people who believe themselves to be victims of a crime or major incident (damage to property or persons, road accidents, attacks or natural disaster) to be assisted by a professional in real time, while still respecting their anonymity.”
Anyone using a French mobile phone when travelling abroad in other European countries will also have access to the service, via the international number 00 33 1 80 52 33 76.
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