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Your roundup of local and national
domestic abuse stories
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Calls to children’s charity about domestic abuse ‘soar’ to record high during lockdown
A children’s charity said calls to their helpline about domestic abuse have “surged” to a record high since the start of lockdown. NSPCC Cymru said they have made, on average, more than eight referrals involving domestic abuse concerns each week to Welsh local authorities since lockdown began. In some of these cases, fears about the virus were exploited to withhold access to children and monitor victims’ movements. NSPCC Cymru said the coronavirus crisis has highlighted how “essential” it is that every child and family can access support.
-ITV News
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Nearly 8000 male domestic abuse victims in West Yorkshire during 2019
Thousands of men across our region are suffering violence and aggression at the hands of their partners. Nearly eight thousand men told West Yorkshire police they were a domestic abuse victim during 2019, while they are around three times less likely to speak out about their experiences than women. A Freedom of Information request to West Yorkshire Police by Ian McNicholl, (domestic abuse survivor,) reveals that in 2019, 7,931 (1 in 4) men across West Yorkshire reported they had been victims of domestic abuse.
-ITV News
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Shrewsbury abuse survivor raises thousands with charity head shave
Emma Roscoe, of Shrewsbury, took part in the online challenge in support of Women’s Aid and Galop. She spent 10 years in an emotionally abusive and controlling relationship, but overcame her problems to share screen time celebrities including Dani Wallace as her contribution to The Big Festoon fundraising effort. Now a motivational speaker she pledged to join the caper following reports that domestic abuse and violence had risen since the start of lock down.
-Shropshire Star
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Secret hand signal allows domestic abuse victims to ask for help
Victims of domestic abuse who need to show they are in danger but can’t speak can use a hand signal to flag up their distress to someone over video chat. The hidden sign is being shared by a women’s charity in a new online video – aimed at teaching people how to get help and reaching people how to recognmise that someone needs help. The sign involves raising your hand in front of your body, meaning it cannot be seen by anyone behind you. The ‘signal for help’ has been created by the Canadian Women’s Foundation, reports The Mirror, and is now being shared globally on social media.
-Kent Live
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NatWest announces £1m support for economic and domestic abuse victims
NatWest Group, the owner of the Royal Bank of Scotland, has launched a £1 million fund to support victims of economic and domestic abuse, in a new partnership with SafeLives. SafeLives is a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. This new NatWest fund will be open to victims of economic and domestic abuse across the UK and will increase access to tools, support and financial assistance. SafeLives and NatWest will work together with survivors and specialist domestic abuse services to co-create the programme, making sure the lived experience of survivors influences its design so it meets people’s needs and helps build financial confidence and independence.
-Scottish Housing News
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