Rape helpline fears for women trapped in lockdown torment

A support project for survivors of sexual abuse has revealed lockdown has been “one of the worst times” they’ve seen for those calling its helpline.

The “stay at home” message to prevent the spread of Covid-19 has saved lives but heaped immense pressure on those living in destructive homes.

Isabelle Kerr, of Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, says demand for their services has risen as sexual violence survivors feel even more trapped and isolated by the current restrictions.

Many of the calls their volunteers are fielding are from women at crisis point because the lack of social interaction has been putting their coping mechanisms under severe strain.

With court dates postponed indefinitely and lockdown making the reporting and investigating of rapes or sexual assaults more difficult, it’s one of the most challenging times Isabelle has seen in 40 years with the charity.

She said: “We are very busy. It’s one of the worst times I’ve seen. Even though we are in the midst of a lockdown, 100 new women have entered our service in the last three months. That number doesn’t include those who have phoned the helpline or the sexual violence survivors we are currently supporting.

“There have been other challenging times, including the aftermath of the Jimmy Savile revelations when there was a huge upsurge in reports of sexual abuse, both contemporary and historic.” Isabelle added: “At the moment, it is the severity of the calls which is more alarming than the quantity, as many of the women who get in touch have reached crisis point and are very distressed. Some have been raped recently and others are child sex abuse survivors who are struggling.”

Isabelle, manager at the Glasgow centre, said: “Often coping strategies survivors use may not be working any more. They’re feeling trapped, alone and their thoughts are even more intrusive.

“The postponement of court cases is also causing a lot of stress among survivors – 75 per cent of the cases that go to the High Court in Glasgow are sexual offences, which gives you an idea of just how many women are affected.

“There are a lot of vulnerable women out there who need all the support they can get.”

To make it easier for survivors to get in touch, Isabelle and her team have launched a text service with

£45,000 of funding they received from the National

Lottery.