Since the National Centre for Victims of Violence (CNVV) launched its 24/7 service on 1 May, the number of people seeking help at the centre has increased exponentially, according to the Ministry for Gender Equality and Diversity and the Ministry of Sport in response to a parliamentary question from the Pirate Party (Piratepartei).
During its first twelve months of operation, the CNVV assisted a total of 426 victims. However, in the last two months alone, the centre has already supported 248 people, which is more than half the previous annual total.
About half of those affected received support on site, and around 80% of the victims experienced violence within their own families, including psychological, physical, or sexual abuse.
No reports relating to violent experiences in the sports sector have been handled by the CNVV so far. Athletes who are affected can contact the Luxembourg Agency for Integrity in Sport (ALIS), which has received 16 reports since its launch.
The relevant ministries do not consider the two organisations to be in competition with one another.
The CNVV was launched as a pilot project in late April last year by five ministries under the leadership of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Diversity, and has since been managed by the Luxembourg Red Cross.
The centre provides initial outpatient support to victims who come forward. In its first year, the centre operated only at specific times, namely during evenings on weekdays and over the weekend.
From the outset, the intention was to develop the service into a round-the-clock support system. This expansion was implemented after the centre's first year of operation.
