The National Domestic Abuse helpline has announced that they have seen a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since the Coronavirus lockdown. The Charity Refuge also reported, in the same period, visits to their website had gone up by 150% compared to the previous week in February. The charity's chief executive Sandra Horley has said self-isolation has the potential to "aggravate pre-existing abuse behaviours" by abusers.
Government guidelines say the public must remain at home as much as possible in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But these measures leave domestic abuse victims vulnerable. For example, speaking to Sky News, a victim going under the alias “Clare”, said that being told to stay home with an abusive partner had made things "much more intense".
Are you experiencing domestic abuse? Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline now: 0808 2000 247
It is estimated that last year 1.6 million women in England and Wales suffered from domestic abuse.
The risk is that under self-isolation, abusers will further restrict their partner’s freedom and threaten their safety.
Authorities are already preparing for a spike in domestic abuse as China and Italy reported three times as many cases during their lock downs. In the U.K., the police say that some abusers have already tried to manipulate the crisis.
At a time when support services have been underfunded and stretched from ten years of budget cuts, questions have been raised about how vulnerable people will seek help.
Are you experiencing domestic abuse? Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline now: 0808 2000 247
Over the past few weeks, people have criticised the government for failing to prepare for the way that the lockdown has created opportunities for abusers to terrorise their victims.
However, this week, in the U.K., the Labour Party's Shadow Policing Minister, Louise Haigh, has called for the government to implement a national strategy on domestic abuse during the pandemic, as well as emergency funding.
Nina Porter spoke to Natalie Deacon from the Avon Foundation for Women and Lisa King from Charity Refuge about the impact of the Coronavirus on domestic abuse and what vulnerable people can do in times of crisis.
Broadcasted exclusively worldwide on W!ZARD Radio Station.
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