‘Don’t suffer in silence’ – fears amid rise in domestic abuse calls

People who are unsafe in their own homes are urged to seek support amid fears lockdown measures create a “perfect storm” for domestic abuse.

Sarah O’Leary of Next Link says victims trapped indoors with perpetrators are at increased risk and left feeling they have nowhere to go and no one to turn to in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

The charity, which provides domestic abuse support services for Bristol and beyond, has seen a 23 per cent increase in referrals in the last week alone, a figure that is reflected across the country, with some organisations reporting even higher numbers.

“The most important message is that specialist support services are still available,” O’Leary tells Bristol24/7.

“We are open now and we are able to support someone if they have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse.

“Perpetrators often use whatever they can to coerce and control victims and, right now, they have something else they can use – for example telling victims they are not allowed to leave the house or there won’t be anyone to help them. That is not true, if your home is not safe, you still have a right to leave and get support.”

Next Link is still operating its vital services – photo: Next Link

O’Leary adds there is an increased risk for children, who would otherwise have been at school or staying at grandparents but are now at home because of the lockdown measures. She says: “We are concerned about what they might be witnessing or be victims of.”

Incidents of domestic abuse and violence increase during times of high stress or financial insecurity, such as that created by the pandemic. This, coupled with the heightened risk of lockdown, led Marvin Rees to describe the situation as a “perfect storm” during a recent press briefing.

He acknowledged the immense strain charities such as Next Link have been placed under in recent years due to austerity and funding cuts, adding that the council is working with MPs and service providers to ensure safe accommodation is available for those who flee their homes.

Avon and Somerset Police has not seen an increase in reports of domestic abuse since lockdown measures came into effect, but says there is concern about the consequences of the rules for those affected who fall into vulnerable categories.

Bristol charities have planned for the challenges posed by coronavirus and are working round the clock to support some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens.

For One25, not only are the risks heightened but carrying out work with less face-to-face contact poses additional challenges.

The St Paul’s-based charity worked with around 130 women who were street sex-working last year alone, all of whom are at high risk of violence and abuse. Many work to fund the habits of coercive partners, as well as their own, with these addictions often stemming from previous experiences of abuse.

One25’s outreach van meets women on the streets of Bristol at night – photo: One25

Hannah (not her real name), an independent domestic and sexual violence advisor at One25, says: “You have to be really careful working with women who are in relationships with abusive partners. We want to support them to plan to move to safety – escape routes, a packed bag, police liaison.

“But building trusting relationships without face-to-face meetings makes this difficult. And planning can be impossible if they’re stuck inside. Their perpetrator could be monitoring their every move, listening to their phone calls and reading their texts… anything to cut the woman off from any kind of support.”

The charity is working night and day to provide vital emotional and practical support. One25’s operations manager says one woman was feeling so isolated and alone she was moved to tears just to see a friendly face – even at a two-metre distance.

“We’re trying our best to get out in the daytime to safely deliver food packages to women – some of whom wouldn’t eat otherwise – and our van is out at night meeting women at their point of need,” she says.

………………………………..

Read more: Charities to hold candlelit vigil against domestic abuse

………………………………..

The government has recently announced £2m of funding to boost support lines and services available – a sum branded “pitiful” by some charities. On a local level, the mayor has already appealed for hotels and bed and breakfast owners to make rooms available for those most in need.

Chief superintendent Deryck Rees, the lead for domestic abuse in Avon and Somerset, says the force is closely monitoring the situation to ensure police are responding in the best way possible, but that it is too soon to know what the consequences of lockdown will be.

“For victims of domestic abuse, the lockdown measures may mean they will find themselves at home with their abusers for extended periods of time,” he tells Bristol24/7. “We are expecting that many perpetrators will be taking advantage of the current situation to further isolate, manipulate and control their victims.

“Our main concern is that victims of domestic abuse will be feeling even more isolated and alone than usual and will be at higher risk of under-reporting. We want to reassure victims that we continue to take reports of domestic abuse extremely seriously.”

For anyone facing domestic abuse or violence, police and frontline support staff are still here and still listening.

In a frank message to anyone affected, police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens says: “I cannot stress enough that help is still out there and you do not need to suffer in silence.”

She adds: “I want to say a massive thank you to those who work for the services who have adapted in these unprecedented times. It is more important than ever that we are working together to ensure victims are still able to get the help they so desperately need during the lockdown.”

• To report a crime or abuse, call the police on 101, or 999 if it is an emergency. You can report online by visiting www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report.
• Advice and contact details for local and national helplines and support organisations are available via www.thisisnotanexcuse.org.
• For information on Next Link services and helpline, visit: www.nextlinkhousing.co.uk.

Main photo: Next Link

Read more: ‘The most serious costs of domestic abuse are measured in ruined lives’