Many of the women victims of domestic violence often bear the marks on their bodies. When asked what happened to them, fear means they tend to conceal the truth, inventing excuses like “I fell down the stairs”, “I walked into a door” or “I slipped in the bath”.

Bearing this in mind we conducted a campaign to encourage women in situations of violence to call the “144” national telephone line to seek help and start to talk about what really happened to them.

Many of the women victims of domestic violence often bear the marks on their bodies. When asked what happened to them, fear means they tend to conceal the truth, inventing excuses like “I fell down the stairs”, “I walked into a door” or “I slipped in the bath”.

The “144” is a nationwide telephone line implemented by the government to provide assistance to women in situations of domestic violence

Door

Operator: 911, how can I help you?

Woman (very quietly): I’m about to walk into the door. I need help.

Operator: Could you speak up a little, please? What’s your name, madam?

Woman: Ana

Operator: Ana, you said you’re about to walk into the door?

Woman: Yes…

Operator: Are you near the door right now?

Woman: Yes, fairly close.

Operator: Could you possibly walk away from the door?

Woman: (anguished) No. I’m very scared. I don’t want to walk into the door…

Operator: Ana, take it easy… Can you get out of the house any other way without passing through a door?

Woman: But I’m going to walk into it again…. Help me…

Operator: No, no, no… Ana, you’re not. Listen carefully… Slowly move away from the door…

Operator: Ana, talk to me.

Man (coming closer, cynically): There you are… what are you doing?!

Operator: Ana, you’re OK?

Woman: (sobbing) Help me…

Man: What are you doing?!

Just then the call is interrupted.

Operator: Ana?…

VO: More and more women are walking into doors, without actually walking into any door.

If you’re a victim, never protect your abuser and call 144 at any time.

ELA.

Latin American Justice and Gender Team.