The United Nations Population Fund and Crown the Woman have launched Helpline 623, a toll-free number that provides confidential psycho-social counselling and referrals to specialized services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

In a statement extended to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, the United Nations Population Fund said the national helpline is accessible 24 hours, seven days a week to anyone experiencing domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, child and forced marriages, and other forms of GBV.

“Even prior to the pandemic, GBV has remained one of the biggest silent humanitarian crises in South Sudan. With the restrictions on movements and the stresses induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of GBV is likely to increase across the board, thus there is a need to ensure that GBV counseling and other services will be available and are readily accessible despite quarantine policies,” the statement reads in part.

The UN agency says calls through Helpline 623 are received by trained social workers as well as legal and psycho-social counsellors.

 “The national helpline will serve a critical purpose of providing immediate counselling support as well as linking the survivors with the service providers within their vicinity as, most often, the survivors do not know who or where to turn to for support to break the cycle of violence in their lives,” said Dr. Mary Otieno, Country Representative for UNFPA South Sudan.

The project, supported by UNFPA, is expected to strengthen referrals through Helpline 623 and reach out to GBV survivors from across the country.

The UN organization revealed that the Helpline will be linked to services provided at the Family Protection Centres in 10 locations in South Sudan – Juba, Rumbek, Malualkon, Wau, Torit, Bor, Kapoeta, Yambio, Malakal and Aweil.

According to the statement, the centres provide medical, psychosocial and medical services to GBV survivors at no cost.