An initiative in collaboration with CIG has transformed IKEA’s customer support line into a confidential and accessible referral channel for victims of domestic violence.
The company states that this initiative allows domestic violence victims to contact the CIG support line “without any trace of the call being left on their phone records,” meaning an outsider checking the calls would only see a call to IKEA.
In relation to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, IKEA noted in a statement that “the support line, launched in March 2023, received 216 calls in its first year,” 462 in the second year, and over 1,000 in the first nine months of 2025, totaling at least 1,678 calls redirected to the Domestic Violence Victims Information Service (SIVVD).
The number of calls redirected between January and September 2025 represents a 98% increase compared to the same period of the previous year to the SIVVD of the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG), according to the statement.
The collaboration between the company and CIG also extends to the “Recomeços” program, which supports the empowerment of victims temporarily housed in shelters within the National Network for Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence.
Since 2023, the program has directly supported around 100 individuals, with IKEA contributing a fund to support the empowerment of domestic violence victims.
In September this year, the furniture and decoration company donated 15,000 euros to the fund managed by CIG, aimed at supporting women victims of domestic violence.
Carina Quaresma, president of the CIG, mentioned that the support line amplifies the organization’s capacity to reach more people who need help directly and safely.
“When we make help more accessible, people may feel safer to take the first step,” Quaresma indicated.
The CIG leader further stated that the partnership has proven that the social and private sectors can help save lives.
Cláudia Domingues, IKEA’s communications manager in Portugal, noted that the line has helped decrease the number of domestic violence victims who remain silent.
“We are reaching more people who need help, breaking the cycle of silence,” said the manager, cited in the statement.
To select redirection to SIVVD, individuals must call the IKEA customer support line (21 989 99 45) and press key eight.
The statement refers to the contacts that witnesses or victims of domestic violence can reach out to, including the CIG’s Domestic Violence Victims Information Service: toll-free line 800 202 148.
Individuals can also seek support and information from CIG by sending a message to 3060 or through the email: vi*******@*****ov.pt.
The statement also emphasizes that in case of emergency or imminent danger, individuals should always contact 112.
At least 24 women have been murdered in Portugal this year up to November 15, of which 21 resulted from gender violence (femicide), according to the Observatory of Murdered Women (OMA) from the Union of Women Alternative and Response (UMAR).
According to CIG, violence against women and girls remains one of the most frequent and widespread human rights violations globally.
