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COVID-19 AND THE DOMESTIC ABUSE PANDEMIC...

  • Writer: justlovebrum
    justlovebrum
  • May 19, 2020
  • 3 min read


Domestic abuse has come to the front of our TV's with Sally Rooney's 'Normal People' on BBC I-Player (would highly recommend if you haven't watched it yet). Rooney perfectly shows a raw and realistic insight into a domestic abuse household in the TV series. Highlighting what is an often unseen and unheard issue. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the domestic abuse situation has also been described as a pandemic of its own[1]. With helplines receiving far more calls than normal, it is not just the virus that is taking a toll on people's lives...


What is Domestic Abuse?

Women's Aid 'define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.'


In most cases, domestic abuse is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men. However, men and children can experience it too. Abuse is to do with having power and control over someone. It can include: emotional abuse, threats and intimidation, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, online or digital abuse, harassment, and stalking.


How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected Domestic Abuse?

With the government requiring everyone to 'stay home' and isolate themselves from the virus, this increases the time victims of domestic abuse are living with their perpetrators. Therefore, isolation limits freedom, creating a more dangerous home environment for victims, making it harder for them to find a safe space to reach out for help.


Refuge responded to the effect of Covid-19 on domestic abuse by saying:

'1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse last year, and self-isolation has the potential to aggravate pre-existing abusive behaviours by perpetrators.'[2]

So far during lock down there has been a 49% rise in calls to abuse helplines (compared with the average), a 35% rise in calls to Men's Advice Line during the first week and 16 people were killed in the first three weeks of lockdown - the highest in 11 years! [3]


700% increase in visits to Refuge's website on the 6th April compared to the previous day, during lockdown!


These are scarily high stats! And it can be hard to believe that 16 lives have already been lost due to domestic abuse in the UK in the first 3 weeks of lockdown. We are now in week 7 and it can be alarming to think of these stats continuing to rise. It's safe to say charities such as Refuge, Women's Aid, and Respect are doing their best to keep up with the increased demand. And I've included some ways you can support these charities and victims in this pandemic and beyond.


Refuge have said that ‘Women’s lives depend on being able to keep our services running and we are doing everything we can to keep them open.'[4] And have set up a webform for those who are struggling to take a private phone call to receive help.


The National Abuse Helpline has also made a COVID-19/Coronavirus: Safety tips for survivors - full of practical tips for victims to survive Covid-19 with their abuser.


How can you help?

I think this is quite a difficult question to answer; unless you are made aware of a domestic abuse situation, it often takes place behind closed doors. And it is such a complex issue, where there can appear to be very real consequences for the victim when speaking out.


When supporting a victim, professional helplines, and the police, on 999 for emergencies, are the first place to look for help. Helplines and websites such as Refuge will know how to discretely and effectively help a victim out of an abusive household, whilst giving sound advice.


Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0808 2000 247 - Call 24-hours a day, for free and in confidence.



I have seen some people on Facebook creating a discrete way for those who are experiencing abuse to speak out. For example, by creating a Facebook post like below it creates a way for friends to reach out to you for support. I would encourage you, if you feel comfortable, to share something similar <3



An Instagram Campaign


@sharesilence_stopviolence is an Instagram campaign started by Angus Edwards who is aiming to raise £10,000 for Refuge to support victims of Domestic Abuse. They say, 'donations and spreading of awareness will have life-changing effects on those women/children/men who are subject to truly awful violence.' They are encouraging people to:

I challenge you to take part, if you can, your support to these organisations is so valuable, especially in this time where Covid-19 isolation is exacerbating situations of domestic abuse in households.


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