Statistics have shown that countries that have been “locked down” due to the COVID-19 pandemic have experienced a huge increase in incidents of domestic abuse, in China’s case, the increase has been threefold, Spain and France saw a 30% increase and Brazil 40%. The National Helpline in the UK has seen a 70% increase in calls. The Respect helpline (for perpetrators of abuse) has seen an increase of 125%.
A lockdown or restricted movement situation is the perfect situation for an abuser, it can prevent contact with friends, family and routes to support – something that they may have been attempting to do for some time. The situation magnifies existing abusive behaviours due to prolonged periods in each other's company and provides an opportunity for constant surveillance and abilty to exercise coercive control. There is little respite for victims and children. Easing of restrictions will likely bring it's own issues because it will mean a loss of control for the perpetrator. There will also likely be an increase in financial pressures.
Keeping vital lifelines open is what we at The Wish Centre are going to do, and you can help us.
The Government has announced that people experiencing domestic abuse can still leave home despite restrictions on our movements, our service needs to provide them with every opportunity to do this if they wish, or to help keep them as safe as possible if leaving is not yet an option.
You can help by choosing the gift of support during this time.
£25 will provide a support session/safety planning session for an adult or young person over a safe media – Zoom, Facebook, email, WhatsApp.
£30 will provide an emergency necessities package for a family who have fled.
£15 will buy a safecmobile phone & SIM card
£8 will buy a portable door lock to create a “safe room”
£45 will provide a night’s emergency accommodation for a single person
£70 will provide a night’s emergency accommodation for a family
£10 will provide a door or window alarm to support those whose partners have left but are attempting to use the current pandemic to regain access to the home.
£20 will go towards a fund to provide deposits for rented properties, allowing those at risk to move into a safe property.
Please help us continue to keep victims and children safe.