Isolation impact

CALLS to Britain’s national domestic abuse helpline have soared 66 per cent since a lockdown to curb the coronavirus was imposed on March 23, leaving many women trapped with violent partners.

About 2.4 million adults in Britain experience domestic abuse a year, according to the government, which puts the annual cost at £66 billion.

Cases include a young mother whose husband attempted to strangle her and threatened to throw acid in her face, and another who was hospitalised after being stabbed.

Karma Nirvana, which runs a helpline for ‘honour’ abuse victims, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation it had received nearly 2,000 calls and emails since the lockdown began, double the number in the same period last year.

The charity’s chief executive, Natasha Rattu, said little attention had been given to victims of ‘honour’ abuse isolated at home with “multiple perpetrators”, adding that the lockdown had created perfect conditions for families to exert total control.

“We’re hugely worried about victims at this time,” Rattu said. “We’re anticipating more victims will come forward now that restrictions are relaxing. People are planning to leave their homes so we desperately need more safe spaces for them to go to.”

Charities have received calls from girls in relationships opposed by their families, and others terrified they will be forced into marriages abroad once the lockdown is lifted.

Some victims were feeling suicidal and self-harming. Others said they were being treated like slaves.

Charities said the lockdown also meant that women and girls had fewer options to seek help, and it was trickier to reach them.

Rattu said it was especially unusual to get so many calls over the normally quieter month of Ramadan, which coincided with the lockdown and ended on May 23. “It shows the level of desperation,” she added. (Reuters)