Home violence virus’s ticking timetomb?
VICTIMS TRAPPED WITH ABUSERS
THE number of people coming forward to report domestic violence in national lockdowns has dropped.
Detective Superintendent Andy Gowan, lead for domestic violence at Nottinghamshire Police, said the pandemic had reduced reports of violence in the home.
In the first lockdown, there were 2,688 reports of domestic violence – also including stalking and coercive and controlling behaviour – in March and April.
But that number rose to 3,172 when the country came out of lockdown in July and August.
He said the same had happened during the second lockdown, adding: “I would expect domestic violence to go up as people are under more financial pressure and lockdown pressure.
“There are other ways domestic violence is seen. It could be friends have seen an injury or children have disclosed that mum and dad are fighting.
“If they are not seeing their friends or going to A&E because of fear of Covid or going out or the children are not going to school then they are the other mechanisms of reporting we are not going to get.”
Despite the figures, charities supporting victims have received an “unprecedented” amount of calls during the pandemic.
There were 11,430 reports to police from November 2018 to November 2019. That fell to 11,392 from November 2019 to November 2020.
DS Gowan said that a lot of his department’s work was now based on targeting offenders, ensuring bail conditions were met and that offenders followed stalking prevention orders.
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said support services for victims of domestic abuse in Nottinghamshire would receive a funding boost of almost £370,000 to help meet rising demand in the pandemic.
He said that domestic abuse support services have reported “unprecedented calls for help”, with many victims forced to spend more time alone with their abuser during lockdown.
Mr Tipping said: “Domestic abuse support providers in Nottinghamshire and elsewhere across the UK have faced immense strain during the health crisis with soaring calls for help and practical barriers to the way they normally deliver their services.”
The grants can pay for additional more staff time, publicity and campaign material and office adaptations.
Juno Women’s Aid (£71,653), Nottingham Women’s Aid (£25,802.56), Nottingham Muslim Women’s Network (£8,113.06) and Broxtowe Women’s Project (£17,030.66) will benefit.
Broxtowe Women’s Project partnership officer Chris Harris said: “We have been able to extend our opening hours to provide a five-day service for our families at this difficult time for those experiencing domestic abuse.”
Juno Women’s Aid chief executive Yasmin Rehman added: “2020 has been an unprecedented year and the numbers of those living with violence and abuse continues to rise. The effects of being trapped in abusive situations during a time of restrictions on our movements as a result of the global pandemic will be felt for many years to come.”