Careline

A joint venture by the Basildon Domestic Violence Panel 

An early project (initiated in 1996) was to run a pilot scheme with Basildon District Council and Essex Police to install their Careline alarms in the homes of women who were both living independently of their perpetrators and who also had access to a phone. This project was very successful and continues to run today and has spread to other local areas.

Alarms are installed in the victim's property and connected to the telephone line. A remote pendant is supplied which can be operated from anywhere within the house or the garden. In an emergency situation, simply depressing the button activates a call to the Basildon Careline Central Control, which provides a 24 hours service. At no time is it necessary for the victim to make an emergency telephone call to the Police, as a microphone within the unit automatically records all the events that subsequently take place. Ultimately, this may mean that more prosecutions are successful.

The cost of a single assault on a victim and family in terms of refuge accommodation, hospitalisation, child care, traumas, counselling and Social Services' involvement could well exceed the amount of sponsored money for Careline. However, what is not measurable in terms of cost is the peace of mind this scheme affords.