The corresponding decree was adopted by the government on Tuesday, December 23. The author of the draft, the Labor and Social Protection Ministry, explained the need for changes by the fact that the free telephone assistance service for victims of domestic violence and violence against women, which has been operating since 1999, is limited to a single communication channel – a voice call. This reduces the availability and confidentiality of assistance.
The limitation makes it particularly difficult for women who are close to the aggressor and cannot safely speak, for young people who prefer to communicate via chat or messages, for people with hearing impairments, as well as for refugee and migrant women who do not speak Romanian or Russian.
Within the framework of the modernization, it is proposed to expand the channels of consultation and to introduce a 24-hour service with a response time of up to 15 seconds and a reception rate of at least 95% of requests. Clear response standards and quality control mechanisms will also be introduced.
The decision was part of a large-scale package of social protection measures.
“With this package of solutions, we are taking an important step towards a more fair, accessible and oriented to the real needs of people in the system of social services,” said Minister of Labor and Social Protection Natalia Plougarou.
Official data confirm the need for modernization. In 2024, the service registered 2,024 calls, of which 1,046 concerned domestic violence and 146 sexual violence. In the first half of 2025, it has already registered 1,086 calls, of which 501 concerned domestic violence and 100 sexual violence.
