Covid lockdown is making domestic abuse an even bigger problem

The pandemic has seen a massive upswing in incidents of domestic violence

While staying at home is key to combating coronavirus, an unintended side effect is the impact on levels of domestic abuse. Calls to the UK’s biggest domestic abuse charity, Refuge, went up by a staggering 700 per cent in just one day, while another helpline dedicated to changing the behaviour of perpetrators saw a rise of 25 per cent.

With people in lockdown with partners who are abusive, the pressure cooker effect of being stuck with them is taking a serious toll. It is a sad fact that in normal circumstances domestic violence increases at times when families spend more time together, like summer holidays and Christmas.

As we are all too well aware, we are now not in normal circumstances. Being cooped up at home with all of the average stresses and strains is a challenge at the best of times, but the coronavirus lockdown is exacerbating the worst behaviour by some people.

The number of domestic abuse cases in Scotland will shock you – Christina McKelv...

China’s Hubei province wasn’t just the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic. In one local county, reports of domestic violence tripled during the month of February. No wonder UN Secretary General António has said: “I urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic.”

Three days of mourning

In France, there was a 30 per cent increase in domestic violence cases during the first week of the lockdown. The situation is so serious that the French government is paying for 20,000 overnight stays in hotels and shelters for people who have to leave their abusive partners. Advice for victims is being offered at temporary support centres outside supermarkets. Guidance has been provided to pharmacists in case domestic abuse victims come to them for assistance.

In Spain, where the helpline for gender-based violence has seen an increase in contacts of nearly 20 per cent, three days of mourning was declared in the town of Almassora and flags flew at half mast after the death of 35-year-old Carina. She was murdered by her husband in front of their two children.

In Italy, trainee medic Lorena Quaranta was killed by her boyfriend. The Italian government has launched a special app to report abuse, so victims won’t have to make a phone call which an abuser might overhear. A multi-million euro fund is being considered for extra shelter places.

Psychological abuse is a crime

Scotland has relatively new legislation to deal with domestic abuse, which takes account of different kinds of unacceptable behaviour. In addition to physical abuse, a pattern of control, intimidation and humiliation by a partner or ex-partner is a crime.

Under the Domestic Abuse Act, psychologically abusive behaviour is a specific crime in Scotland. If you are being confronted by controlling, threatening or violent behaviour, manipulation to doubt your own sanity, repeatedly being put down, or having intimate images of you shared, all of this is against the law.

In Scotland, extra funding has been made to support Scottish Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland as well as a £100,000 victims’ fund to help meet the immediate financial needs of victims. Online information is being advertised on social media platforms to make it easier to get some help and advice.

If you are being confronted by domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, please reach out for support. No one should have to live with abuse.

Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 027 1234

Online Information: www.safer.scot

Emergency Police Help: 999

Covid lockdown is making domestic abuse an even bigger problem – Angus Robertson