The Ministry of Equality launched this Wednesday the 028 Arcoíris Service, a telephone number for information and comprehensive attention on LGTBI rights to assist victims of hate crimes and discrimination due to LGTBIphobia.
This public service will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will have a team of specially trained professionals who will offer telephone users psychological and legal assistance, according to a statement from Equality.
Calls will be free and confidential, accessible to people with hearing and/or speech impairments, and will be answered in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque, English and French. The toll-free number chosen, 028, alludes to 28 June, LGTBI Pride Day, so that “it will be easier to remember”, according to the ministry. The service, in addition to the telephone, will also be offered through the email 028-online@igualdad.gob.es and an online chat, and will work in coordination with similar services existing in the different autonomous communities.
“It is foreseen that there is no one, in any corner of Spain, who does not have comprehensive assistance in the face of any discrimination, hate crime due to LGTBIphobia or to have any doubts or concerns regarding sexual orientation, ‘gender identity or sexual characteristics,’ the ministry said. Along these lines, Equality recalls that “sexual orientation and gender identity are the second leading cause of hate crime complaints”, despite the widespread under-reporting.
“This service aims, firstly, to bring out all the discrimination and violence that still remain hidden, and, secondly, to provide help, assistance and resources to its victims”, underlines the department headed by Irene Montero .