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After more than 30 years of assisting to abused women and children, the emergency home run by the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women last week announced its first ambassadors.

Actress Thanyares "Thanya" Engtrakul, TV host Sasithorn "Laura" Wattanakul, educator Vanessa "Noo Dee" Race and Miss Tiffany International Queen 2004 and actress Treechada "Poy" Marnyaporn will promote the shelter and draw attention to the the issues of violence against children and women, says Nualphan Lamsam, assistant to the Social Development and Human Security minister Dr Pensri Pichaisnith.

"Even though the home and the APSW have been helping women and children for these past 30 years, many people have never heard of them," Nualpahn says. "These celebrities are well known and people are interested in their lives. So when they take part in the home's activities, those activities automatically reach the public eye so we are hoping to get more assistance as well as financial support for the children and women."

Each year, more than Bt20 million is spent on assisting women who have been abandoned, raped, assaulted, impregnated and infected with HIV by their husbands.

"The budget donated by both the private and public sectors is in urgent need of topping up, says Nualphan. "Domestic violence is all too common in Thailand. We hope that the ambassadors will symbolise a reduction in abuse and in the prevention of violence against children and women."

The ambassadors will participate in the home's activities to strengthen its public relations work and raise funds.

All have been working as volunteers with the home for several months.

 WHISTLE STOP

>> Special red whistles have been designed for the APSW's campaign. The red cross is a hazard prevention symbol and the whistle represents both a scream for help and a self-defence instrument.

 >> To donate or volunteer, call call Bug Info at 1113.