UK Edition
Neighbours urged to 'look out for each other' and spot signs of domestic abuse during lockdown
The LGA is seeking further government guidance on how to support domestic abuse victims and their children who are self-isolating
Neighbours are being urged to “look out for each other” and spot signs of domestic abuse such as bruises and regular shouting during the national lockdown.
The local authority’s communities chief has warned people to be vigilant in protecting their neighbours. His calls echo those of charities and MPs concerned about how abusive partners will weaponise the need for households to isolate during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Authority’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said that neighbours shout look out for shouting, arguments, bruises and signs of controlling behaviour.
He said: “Tackling domestic abuse is an issue that councils take extremely seriously and are all too aware that vulnerable people may be affected due to the impact of the coronavirus response.
“However, councils cannot tackle this despicable ‘hidden’ crime alone. This is why, together with the cooperation of other public services, we particularly urge people to look out for neighbours they either see or hear showing any signs of domestic abuse – either physical or behavioural - at this worrying time. This could include bruises, regular shouting, arguments or signs of controlling behaviour.”
Cllr Blackburn added that the LGA is seeking further government guidance on how to support domestic abuse victims and their children who are self-isolating or otherwise endangered by the current pandemic.
“There also needs to be continued support for specialist domestic abuse services and for the national domestic abuse helpline, with help to expand online access to support services for victims and perpetrators.”
His call comes as Priti Patel said that domestic abuse victims trapped in quarantine “will not be forgotten”. The Home Secretary told the Mail on Sunday that she was “acutely aware” that the home is not a “safe haven” for everyone, adding:
“My message to every potential victim is simple: we have not forgotten you and we will not let you down. And my message to every perpetrator is equally simple: you will not get away with your crimes.”
People in immediate danger are urged to call 999 and ask for the police. Those not in immediate danger are being advised to contact the 24-hour confidential National Domestic Abuse helpline or online forum run by Refuge, the national domestic abuse charity, or other online support services.
The charity estimates that around 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse last year, and warned that “self-isolation has the potential to aggravate pre-existing abusive behaviours by perpetrators”.
Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge, said: “Refuge is concerned about the potential for incidents of domestic abuse to increase during periods of lockdown.
“We know that ordinarily the window of opportunity for women with abusive partners to make a call and seek help is often very limited. Now, it is likely that window has become even smaller.”
Her comments come as the charity issued an online guide with ‘tips’ for survivors on Friday.
This advice includes: always keeping mobile phones charged and nearby, avoiding kitchens, garages or anywhere that might have potential weapons if partners become violent, keeping bank cards, ID, cash and car keys in a safe place and an overnight bag with friends and family, and agreeing on a code word with children as a way to instruct them safely to leave the home, and also agreeing on a codes with trusted friends or family so that they can call the police if you text or call them.
She said: “While in lockdown or self-isolation, women and children are likely to be spending concentrated periods of time with perpetrators, potentially escalating the threat of domestic abuse and further restricting their freedom.
“Domestic abuse isn’t always physical – it’s a pattern of controlling, threatening and coercive behaviour, which can also be emotional, economic, psychological or sexual.
Abuse is a choice a perpetrator makes, and isolation is already used by many perpetrators as a tool of control. “In the current climate, it is certainly more challenging for women suffering abuse.
"Lines of communication could be severely limited if women are unable to leave the home.”
She added that Refuge services will continue to remain open, and that the charity has contingency plans in place for all of its services, including refuges, community-based services and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
“Women’s lives depend on being able to keep our services running and we are doing everything we can to keep them open.” Dozens of women's rights organisations and MPs have already written to hotel chains asking them to offer rooms to women trapped in homes with domestic abusers.
MPs Jess Phillips and Carolyn Harris and 33 women’s rights organisations have written to major hotel chains asking them to offer their beds to women fleeing domestic abusers who would otherwise be trapped with them during the Coronavirus lockdown.
They say that there is a risk of an “epidemic of abuse” taking off in the coming weeks as women are forced to stay indoors with abusive husbands and partners because of self-isolation, home-working, and possible reduced job hours.
The letter says: “We are worried that many of the women that Southall Black Sisters and other women’s groups work with will be forced to stay in already abusive relationships and that the stress and anxiety caused by Covid-19 might also mean that other women become subject to domestic abuse for the first time.
“You can prevent such experiences from happening to more women - or at the very least, limit the scale of the problem. You can make a difference to some of the most vulnerable women who otherwise have no one to turn to for security, comfort and support.
“While the rooms of your hotel are unoccupied, will you offer a hotel in a publicly undisclosed space to women fleeing a domestic abuser so that they are safe and secure?”