The impact of domestic abuse on women and children in the UK, Covid implications and how we can help.

This piece is based on my own independent research. I understand that my findings are only the tip of the iceberg of what is a vast and ever-pressing problem in society. The purpose of this is to raise awareness, to encourage a better understanding and to provide support. To commence, I am focusing on domestic abuse primarily inflicted on women in the UK. I also include an overview of child domestic abuse, which given the vastness of the topic, will be explored at a later date. 

In a time where Covid-19 has dominated, confining the majority within the peripheries of their homes, it has arguably brought a collective feeling of isolation, anxiety and extreme incarceration. For a moment, acknowledge your own experiences but now imagine cohabiting under one roof with a domestic abuser(s). It is apparent the tolls of lockdown has spiked mental health problems coupled with an increase of violence within the home. Victims have been left with little choice but to isolate with their abusers thus perpetuating pre-existing abusive behaviour and fuelling the recurrence of violence on a more frequent basis. 

Since lockdown in March 2020, contact made to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline has risen to an alarming level. During the first three months of Covid-19 restrictions, more than 40,000 calls were made receiving over 120% of its usual call volume with website traffic up by 700%. Indeed, victims have admitted they have felt more vulnerable to harm and in reporting abuse. In addition, from the commencement of the first lockdown and onwards, charities have reported a 200% increase in calls and with individuals accessing the web chat services.

Further data collated by Counting Dead Women, a platform which records the deaths of women by men, counted 35 murders, with 12 further suspected cases between 23rd March and July 2020. Co-founder, Karen Ingala Smith of Femicide Census a comprehensive study analysing a decade of men’s fatal violence against women between 2009-2018, revealed that on average, a woman is murdered by a current or former partner every 4 days. 

#Domesticabuse is not limited to physical violence. We identify with physical abuse as it is the most obvious. However, other forms of abuse can be just as detrimental to victims. Can you spot the signs?

The UK government defines domestic abuse as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.”

Refuge, notes that “one in two young women have experienced controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship”. A further “one in three women aged 16-59 will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime” according to the ONS. This reiterates the harsh reality that almost anyone is vulnerable to abuse. It is rarely a one-off incident, with figures revealing that on average women experience 35 incidents before they report it to the police.  

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following: (Women’s Aid)

•  Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
• Psychological and/or emotional abuse 
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Financial or economic abuse
• Harassment and stalking
• Online or digital abuse
• Female genital mutilation/ Forced marriage

These forms of abuse have the ability to cause both short and long term damage to victims. Ingala Smith, who is also Chief Executive of the domestic and sexual violence charity, nia, explains “It’s not unusual for women who’ve been subjected to men’s violence to develop a trauma response.”

Domestic abuse is regarded as a violent crime and it remains the violent crime least likely to be reported to the police. It is prosecuted as part of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Violence against Women and Girls Strategy (VAWG) to address crimes “primarily but not exclusively by men against women”. These crimes include: 

• Rape
• Sexual offences
• Stalking 
• Harassment 
• Child abuse
• ‘Honour-based’ violence
• Human trafficking- sexual exploitation, prostitution, pornography and obscenity. 

Despite the rise in figures, the (CPS) has revealed that very few cases result in conviction. The reasons for this include, but are not limited to: isolation, shame, love, guilt, language barriers and fear of the process (CPS). It is, therefore, difficult to analyse the statistics effectively as the majority of cases are not prosecuted and thus unaccounted for officially.

In addition, it is widely recognised that the effects of domestic abuse both in childhood and adult life is the main factor in the development, but not limited to, the following conditions: (Women’s Aid) 

• Depression
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Suicidal thoughts/ Suicide 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders
• Substance misuse 

It is important to also consider the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people. The rising cases have regrettably been much the same for the youth. Research by the NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity, revealed one in five children are exposed to domestic abuse. Indeed, according to Refuge, 62% of children are directly harmed by the perpetrator of abuse with additional harm caused by witnessing abuse. Last year, the Metropolitan Police reported 22 domestic killings. Between 1st April and 30 June 2020, 56,945 child protection referrals were recorded resulting from domestic-abuse related incidents published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). When analysing the ONS data further, 259,324 offences (excluding fraud) towards women and children were documented by the police between March to June 2020. This revealed a 7% increase from 242,413 during the same period in 2019 and an 18% increase from 2018 of 218,968.

The spike in figures reveal an alarming correlation between the enforcement of lockdown measures and abusive cases. It is, therefore, imperative to acknowledge the rise in reported cases and to act as domestic abuse is predominantly a hidden crime.  

Until recent years, there has arguably been a certain amount of stigma relating to the topic of mental health and sharing personal experiences. Take this one step further, it has become increasingly complicated for those who have also been subject to domestic abuse to speak up particularly with the addition of lockdown restrictions. It is vital given the recent reported figures, to recognise the severity of the matter and to lift the “taboo” associated with it in order to protect and support victims. 

Last year, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall highlighted in her speech at the Women of the World (WOW) festival, that “domestic abuse is everyone’s problem and the solution must be too.” She projected a clear message that domestic abuse can affect anyone, therefore, everyone should do their bit to engage and combat this crisis. She is now also Patron of Safe Lives, “silence is corrosive because it leaves the victims feeling both shame and blame.” The case in point, victims should not feel ashamed of the abuse inflicted on them by their perpetrator(s). 

It is our responsibility, therefore, particularly during these testing times to show compassion and support to everyone, no one should suffer in silence. Abuse affects anyone regardless.

With this in mind, I will be organising fundraising events over the coming few months in collaboration with Stop Domestic Abuse UK and their Buy A Brick initiative to reach their ￡1m target for a permanent secure refuge. I will keep anyone interested in getting involved informed through my Virgin Money Giving Page.  So please watch this space!

I very much hope you will be willing to support this worthwhile cause. 

Flora 

Links to charities and wider organisations I have found informative and helpful 

1. Immediate danger: Contact the police on 999. If you can’t talk, press 55.**

2.Codeword scheme: If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ (Action Needed Immediately) at any shop which displays the ANI logo.  #askforani

3.  Signal for Help: A one-handed silent gesture that a person can communicate via video call to signal help. #signalforhelp

4. National Domestic Abuse Helpline : (run by Refuge) 24hr helpline providing advice and support to women- Helpline: 0808 2000 247

 5. Refuge:  Helpline offering help and finding emergency accommodation-  Helpline: 0808 2000 247 @refugecharity. 

6. Rape Crisis England & Wales: Offering support to women and girls who have experienced sexual violence @rapecrisisew.

   7. SafeLives: Dedicated to ending domestic abuse. Work with organisations across the UK to  transform the response to domestic abuse.  @safelives_

8. Women’s Aid: Online resources for women and young people. @womens_aid

9. nia: Service for women and girls who have been subjected to sexual and domestic violence and abuse, including prostitution.

10. UK SAYS NO MORE: Raises awareness to end domestic abuse and sexual violence across the UK. @uksaysnomore. (Set up a network of safe spaces in shops including Boots, Superdrug and Morrisons pharmacies.) 

11. Victim Support: Charity supporting people affected by crime or traumatic events @victimsupport_uk

12.  Forward: (Foundation of Women's Health Research and Development) is the African women-led women's rights organisation working to end violence against women and girls.

13. Southall Black Sisters: Offers advice for Black (Asian and African- Caribbean) women on domestic abuse, immigration and homelessness. @southallblacksisters

14. Ashiana Project: Aiding Black and Minority Ethnic women, in particular, Asian, Turkish and Iranian women.

15. UK. Gov- Ministry of Justice 

16. Centre for Women’s Justice : Charity holding the state to account for violence against women and girls. 

17. Domestic Abuse Bill: Important measures which will help to raise awareness of domestic abuse, providing additional support to domestic abuse victims, whilst also helping to challenge perpetrator’s behaviour.

18. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) : Prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales.

19. Rights of Women: Offer confidential legal advice on domestic and sexual violence.

20.  World Health Organisation: (WHO) @who

21. UN Women: Organisation dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. @unwomen

22. Women of the World (WOW): A platform to work together towards gender equality communities

23. The Freedom Programme: Online community run by Rachel Williams, a leading advocate in the campaign against domestic violence.

24. Elimination of Violence Against Women: 16 days of activism against gender based violence. The campaign has run since 1991 commencing on 25th November every year. It encompasses a connection between human rights and domestic violence. 

25. Femicide Census: a unique source of comprehensive information about women who have been killed in the UK and the men who have killed them.

CHILDREN/ YOUNG PEOPLE/ PARENT SUPPORT 

1. Childline: Helpline dedicated to children and young people. 0800 1111. 

2. Place2Be: Children’s Mental Charity, provides support, counselling and training in UK schools . HRH Duchess of Cambridge is patron. @_place2be

3.  The Joanna Simpson Foundation: Providing care, support and protection to children affected by domestic abuse and homicide.

4. NSPCC : UK’s leading children’s charity.  Helpline: 0808 800 5000

5. The Hideout: Women’s Aid have created a space to help children and young people to understand domestic abuse, and how to take action. 

6. The Samaritans : 24-hour service offering emotional support to anyone who is in crisis. Helpline: 08457 909090

7. Barnardo's: Support and protect the UK's most vulnerable children. Helpline:0800 1111