Calls soar to abuse helpline

CALLS to the Refuge charity’s domestic abuse helpline have jumped by two-thirds since lockdown started, while website visits have increased nearly 10-fold.

The charity said it had seen a 66% rise in demand for its 24-hour 0808 2000 247 helpline since the nation was ordered to stay indoors and more women ended up trapped inside with abusive partners.

Meanwhile, visits to the service’s helpline website, where women can confidentially ask for a safe time to be contacted, have jumped by 950% since March 23, it added.

Chief executive Sandra Horley said: “Right now women’s lives depend on them being able to access the specialist services Refuge provides, and now, more than ever, we must continue to provide the confidential support needed. While lockdown itself does not cause domestic abuse, it can aggravate pre-existing behaviours in abusive partners.”