The number of battered women seeking help at shelters has increased significantly. According to the latest figures, there were 300 percent more inquiries in 2012 than there were ten years ago, and a 50 percent increase between 2011 and 2012. The majority of shelter inquiries come from the abused women themselves, but friends, neighbours and other colleagues have also been seeking help for the victims. Around-the-clock contact hours, better communication and more willingness to break taboos and report the violence were some of the reasons cited for the dramatic increase. – Information