The government opened a hotline Tuesday for victims of domestic violence, with counseling staff available for consultations in Japanese and six other languages.

The Purple Dial — Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Telephone Counseling, hosted by the Cabinet Office's Gender Equality Bureau, will be receiving calls toll free until March 27. The number is 0120-941-826.

Phone calls from women are accepted around the clock, and men can use the service between 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and from noon to 11 p.m. on weekends.

Counseling in English, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Tagalog and Thai is available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day of the week.

A Cabinet Office representative said a recent poll indicated 10.8 percent of female respondents were victims of repeated physical or psychological abuse from their spouse, and that around 60 percent of such victims have never consulted others. The poll showed 7.3 percent of female respondents have been raped at least once in the past.