Domestic abuse cases could spike during the third lockdown as perpetrators manipulate the restrictions to increase their control over their victims, Women's Aid warns
Domestic abuse cases could surge during the national lockdown as perpetrators use the restrictions to 'create real barriers' and increase their control over their victims, a Women's Aid campaigner has said.
Lucy Hadley, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Women's Aid, described how the restrictions last year had 'stopped victims from accessing the support' they needed and enabled abusers to isolate them.
The charity, which found 78 per cent of women had found it more difficult to leave their toxic relationships in June last year, now expects there to be a spike in victims separating from their abusers after the lockdown finally comes to an end.
It comes after figures from a Women's Aid report last year found that 91 per cent of respondents experiencing domestic abuse said that the pandemic had negatively impacted them in at least one way.
Lucy Hadley, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Women's Aid, said research had shown that the pandemic had enabled abusers to manipulate lockdown restrictions and increase their control
Ms Hadley said: 'I think for anyone working in the domestic abuse sector we know what a severe impact this has had on women and children living with an abuser during this time.
'We know from our research last year that Covid-19 absolutely doesn't cause abuse, only abusers are responsible for their actions but it did enable abusers to manipulate lockdown restrictions to increase control and abuse and increase isolation of their victims.
'It also stopped victims from accessing support and created real barriers to leaving an abuser.'
Ms Hadley said it was 'absolutely vital' the charities were prepared for the surge in support that women and children would need once the lockdown finally came to an end.
She continued: 'Seventy eight per cent of women who were in an abusive relationship in June last year said they found it harder to leave.
'That's really worrying and new research from the University of Durham and City University in London has actually found that we are expecting a spike of separation after the lockdown finally ends as it becomes easier to leave.
'That is not altogether reassuring as the most dangerous time for a victim of domestic abuse is when you do leave so it is absolutely vital we are prepared for when the lockdown finally ends for that expected surge in support that women and children are going to need.'
Ms Hadley also said it was important there was more funding for domestic abuse charities as the country moved into what would be 'a very difficult time this year'.
Ms Hadley said the charity expects there to be a spike in victims separating from their abusers after the lockdown finally comes to an end
Women's Aid provide an instant message live chat service for victims who are worried about making a phone call
Last year a report by Women's Aid found that domestic abuse had worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Stock image)
She said: 'The domestic abuse sector has been woefully underfunded for years.
'We saw really high levels of demand for support even before the pandemic so 64 per cent of referrals to refuges in 2018/2019 were declined - that's a really worrying picture as we head into what's going to be a very difficult time this year.'
She added: 'We've got to make sure that people know that support is out there and available.
'At Women's Aid we provide an instant message live chat service that is available every day so if you're worried about making a phone call you can use that chat function. It's more discrete and might be more appropriate during this time.'
Last year a report by Women's Aid, titled A Perfect Storm, found that domestic abuse had worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with 91 per cent of respondents experiencing domestic abuse saying the pandemic had negatively impacted them in at least one way.
Of those women living with their abuser during lockdown, 61 per cent described how the abuse had worsened and 68 per cent said they felt they had no one to turn to during lockdown.
For information visit: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/