It is really positive to see people coming together to talk about, and support the people who are suffering from domestic abuse during this lockdown. However, is the government really helping these people, and how easy it is to get help.
The charity Refuge, which runs a freephone helpline 24/7 has seen a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since lockdown started.
The National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 49% rise in calls.
The Men’s Advice Line has seen a 35% rise in calls in the first week of lockdown.
This reveals a significant rise in people seeking help, advice or refuge from scary and often dangerous situations. Dr Jane Monckton-Smith, a forensic criminologist, former police officer and a lecturer at the University of Gloucestshire stated “the lockdown isn’t creating new abusers, but it’s bringing out the ones we already have and exacerbating their behaviour, which is why we’re seeing a rise in domestic abuse reports”. Lockdown can effect your mental health, and for someone who struggles with problems such as anger issues, this could be consequently exaggerated under the circumstances.
Counting Dead Women project reported that 16 people were killed in the first 3 weeks of lockdown, the highest it has been in 11 years.
Nurse and mother of 3, Victoria Woodhall aged 31 was found stabbed to death outside her home in Barnsley. Her husband Craig Woodhall has been arrested.
Robert Needham, 42, killed his wife and two daughters before taking his own life. Some believe that he committed these acts as he could not handle the financial difficulties he had found himself in, however, one of their neighbours did tell the press that Robert was a ‘bully’. His motives still remain unclear.
So what is the government doing?
MPs have called for more help to allow access to support, which could include expanding safe spaces scheme piloted in pharmacies, to other shops such as supermarkets. I want to ask you as the reader, did you even know this scheme was happening? I have seen no signs to highlight this was happening.
In France victims are now able to seek help discreetly at pharmacies, which has also been copied in Spain and America according to CNN. This is similar to the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme that you can see advertised in bars and clubs.
Hotel chains and women’s charities called on the government to offer accommodation to help women and children escape domestic abuse. Many hotels say that are waiting for the government to “play its part” highlighting the lack of action being taken.
So to answer the question “what is the government doing?”, well it doesn’t seem like a lot.
Not just about women and children!
Alan Ginges, 32, has been accused of murdering his 82 year old grandmother, Betty Dobbin, in the house they shared in Northern Ireland.
Elderly Abuse is a topic which is not spoken about as commonly as abuse of women and children, however it is a very significant issue.
Hourglass, is the only national charity dedicated to elderly abuse. It reported that calls from elderly victims have risen by at least 30% during lockdown.
Despite elderly abuse often being overlooked, these are very vulnerable people who need help just as much as anyone else suffering from domestic abuse.
Unfortunately, elderly victims have extra vulnerabilities such as being abused by family members, carers or people they rely on.
Men can also be victims of domestic abuse. I was shocked whilst researching around this topic how much everything is focused on men abusing women and children. There was hardly ANYTHING readily available for male victims. The media likes to preach about men’s mental health and breaking the stigma around it, however, it seems many people only see women and children as victims?
I believe the government needs to highlight that women and children are not the only victims of domestic abuse. It is also our job as a community to help this. Men, the elderly and other vulnerable people need our help too.
What can you do?
I was reading a Reddit thread where people were talking about domestic abuse during lockdown and one user spoke about how they had to call the police for their neighbour after receiving a note through their letter box saying how her husband was mentally and physically abusing her.
This got me thinking how we as individuals, and as a community, can help those in need.
Due to social distancing, it is hard to help, but there is still things we could do.
Important Contacts.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 24/7
0808 2000 247 Nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Women’s Aid: live chat Monday to Friday 10am-2pm.
Galop: LGBT+ community 0800 99 5428
Childline: 0800 1111 Also has online chat service
If you are in immediate danger call 999 If you are deaf or can not verbally communicate, register with the emergency services SMS service: Text REGISTER to 999 and you will receive a text saying what to do next.
You can also call 999, wait for a prompt and then dial 55 to alert the services without having to speak.
Also very importantly if you want help and/or you are worried about hurting others please call 0808 802 4040 This will stay anonymous and someone will help you to manage your behaviour/moods.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help, whether you are a victim or perpetrator
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