If you’re a victim of domestic abuse, help is still available during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The current situation will put more stress on households, especially those who are in emotional and financial difficulty – for instance, following a bereavement or a lost job. These circumstances can lead to an increase in instances of domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse affects over one million people in the UK each year, and with the National Domestic Abuse helpline seeing a 25% increase in calls and online requests during the pandemic, we want to remind our residents that help is still available.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can take many forms. Common examples of abuse are:
- Physical (e.g. punching, biting, scratching)
- Economic (e.g. stopping someone getting a job, or accessing their own money)
- Online (e.g. publishing personal information, sending threatening messages)
- Verbal (e.g. frequently insulting or shouting at someone)
- Emotional (e.g. criticising or constantly undermining someone)
- Sexual (e.g. molestation or rape)
Where can you get help?
Services are available for victims of domestic abuse and their families. You can contact these services by phone, email or through their websites.
You can call the 24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for help and support.
We offer our own domestic abuse support and advice – you can visit our website for guidance.
Citizens Advice has a list of organisations for men, women and LGBT+ residents.
If you are in danger
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. They are still responding to emergency calls throughout the pandemic.
If you are unable to talk on the phone, press 55. If you do this, the police can help you without needing you to speak.
Find out how A2Dominion can help you if you are being abused.
Read the latest information about coronavirus from A2Dominion.
Read all our coronavirus-related news.