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

Stairs

Operator: 911, what is your emergency?

Woman: I’m really scared because I think I’m about to fall down the stairs.

Operator: Down the stairs? OK, are you at home?

Woman: Yes, I am.

Operator: Is there anybody there who can keep you from falling?

Woman: (distressed) No. My neighbors are out.

Operator: Ok, I see… Can you move away from the stairs?

Woman: No!

Man (shouting in the background): …the same old story!! Always the same…!!

Operator: Is there any way of avoiding the stairs?

Woman: (distressed) No… I don’t want to fall…

Man (shouting a little closer): …how many times do I have to tell you??!!

Operator: OK, calm down, I’m with you. Now very carefully go down the first stair.

Woman: (distressed) But I’ll fall… I’m going to fall…

Operator: No, no, no, no… You go down the first stair very slowly.

Man (shouting in the background): …where are you??...eh?... there you are!!

Woman: I got to go... I’m going to fall...

Just then the call is interrupted.

VO: More and more women are falling down the stairs, without actually falling down any stairs.

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

ELA.

Latin American Justice and Gender Team.