07.04.20
Women’s Aid launches ‘Lockdown’ campaign amid coronavirus
National domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid, has launched a campaign today (Apr 7) to highlight risks of abuse during coronavirus lockdown.
The campaign, ‘The Lockdown’ aims to raise awareness of the added dangers of domestic abuse during the lockdown period currently ongoing.
The video shows empty streets around the UK as per Government orders to stop the spread of the virus and take strain off the NHS as it deals with the effects of it.
The concern is that victims of domestic abuse are needing to stay in close proximity to their abusers as they self-isolate together at home, which may lead to an increase in incidents of abuse.
Whilst the virus does not cause the abuse, it threatens to escalate the situation as individuals don’t have safe options of escape.
During the week of Mar 26 and Apr 1 2020, Women’s Aid had a 41% increase in visitors to their Live Chat site compared to the previous week. The advice page for the Covid-19 period has had 27,000 page view since its launch.
Nicki Norman, Acting Chief Executive at Women’s Aid, said:
“We are grateful to ENGINE for producing this powerful campaign and we hope it makes people realise that while home may be the safest place to protect ourselves from the virus, it is certainly not a safe place for women and children who are indefinitely trapped with a perpetrator of abuse.
“COVID-19 household-isolation is having a direct impact on survivors with abuse already escalating and we have seen this reflected in demand for our digital services. Accessing support online can be a safer option for survivors unable leave the household as it can be done discreetly, quietly and in private. The restrictions of the pandemic have shut down many physical routes to safety and support.
“Our digital services are here to support survivors during this frightening time but, in an already extremely challenging funding climate, we need urgent funding to be able to continue providing these vital lifelines.
“We also expect that our national network of local specialist services will be overwhelmed by demand and in urgent need of support. Please consider how you can support your local domestic abuse service.”