On Thursday, the 11th of May, Latvia’s parliament passed in the final reading amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications, reserving 116016 as an emergency phone number for women who are victims of violence.
The list of services with social value in amendments from the Ministry of Transport will be expanded with 116016 phone number. Ministry of Welfare is listed as the institution responsible for the services associated with this phone number. It is reserved to provide women who suffer from violence an option to receive support, information about their rights and opportunities to use them and turn to various organisations.
The directive from the European Parliament and Council of Europe provides for the introduction of a phone hotline to support victims of abuse. This hotline needs to be active 24/7, seven days a week and be free of charge.
According to regulations listed in the Law on Electronic Communications, short numbers 116XXX, which are used to provide electronic communication services with social value in the EU, are managed by various Latvian ministries.
The service for the search of missing children (116000) is managed by the Ministry of the Interior, the service for assistance for victims of crimes (116006) is managed by the Ministry of Justice. Child and teenager trust hotline (116111) is managed by the Ministry of Welfare. Emergency medical service (116117) and emotional support service (116123) are both managed by the Ministry of Health.
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