Supportline 179 is a 24 hour free telephone service run by a team of professionally trained volunteers offered by Agenzija Appogg.

 

It provides immediate, confidential support to callers of any age, who require assistance both in day-to-day and crisis situations. It also provides information on social welfare services and referral systems to those callers who require further assistance.

 

Supportline 179 receives calls on situations of child abuse, domestic violence, drug/alcohol/gambling problems, amongst others. Forming part of Supportline 179, a hotline service is offered to report child abuse over the internet and promote internet safety.

 

 

Anybody who wishes to make use of this service, may phone 179 and speak to one of the trained volunteers who would be willing to listen to him/her. The caller may wish to remain anonymous. However, anybody wishing to refer him/herself to any particular service, will need to provide his/her personal details, such as, name, address, telephone number, and identity card number to the volunteer on call.

 

On the other hand, if the caller is an adult and is referring another adult for a particular service, the personal details of the person being referred will also be requested. It is important that prior to referring anybody, other than oneself, to any service, the consent of the referred individual is given. When referring a minor due to alleged abuse/neglect, the details of that minor will be needed. In this case, the caller may remain anonymous and consent of the minor being referred is not required.

 

 

When a call is placed through 179, the volunteer on duty will attend to the needs of that particular caller. If the caller just needs to speak to somebody, then the trained volunteer will offer a sympathetic listening ear or provide the requested information. If the caller wishes to be referred to any particular service, then the volunteer will fill in the prescribed referral form. This is then sent to the relative service, which will, in turn, contact the caller to provide the requested service.

 

 

Appogg (Foundation for Social Welfare Services)
36, St Luke's Road
Guardamangia
MALTA