A free helpline to support people affected by domestic abuse will now be answered 24 hours a day seven days a week.
The Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline's extended hours mean that a trained advisor will answer the call at all times, including weekends and bank holidays.
Derbyshire County Council, which has co-ordinated the extension of the helpline, is launching a campaign to highlight the number, with new posters, stickers and drinks mats appearing across the county in the next few weeks urging victims to `Stop Hurting – Start Talking'.
The Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline was set up three years ago and in the past has been answered by someone 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours callers have been asked to leave a message or call again later.
People were also given the option to ask for a call-back, although it was felt that callers were afraid of being called back when their abuser might be with them.
The extension of helpline hours follows a successful pilot project by the county council earlier this year.
One woman is killed every three days in Britain by a violent partner or ex-partner and around 40,000 women a year go to women's refuges to escape domestic abuse.
In Derbyshire there were almost 10,000 calls to police relating to domestic abuse last year.
Domestic abuse can take many forms including emotional, physical or sexual, and is often about one person trying to control another through fear and manipulation.
When people ring the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline – 08000 198 668 – they will be put in touch with agencies in their local area that can help, support and advise.
Support available ranges from helping people to find an urgent refuge place or other temporary accommodation to financial and legal support.
The helpline is confidential and callers will not be forced to do anything they don't want to do, for example reporting the abuse to the police. If they wish to do this though, help is available.
Callers may wish to just talk through their situation rather than taking immediate action and there is also help and advice for family and friends of domestic abuse victims.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Care Councillor Charles Jones said: "Following our successful pilot the Derbyshire Domestic Abuse Helpline has been extended and is now answered by someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and bank holidays.
"We must make sure that everyone who needs this valuable service is aware of it and can get hold of the number easily, which is why we are launching a campaign to highlight the number across the county.”
County Council Cabinet Member for Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: "People ringing the helpline can be sure it is confidential and the wide range of advice and support available could help to change their lives for the better. In some cases it could save their lives.”
Stop Hurting Poster
Stop Hurting Sticker