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Your roundup of local and national
domestic abuse stories
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Domestic abuse charities predict call spike post-lockdown
Charities supporting victims of domestic abuse have said they expect an increase in people seeking safety as lockdown eases. Women’s Aid in the West Midlands said it had seen 30 referrals for refuge since lockdown restrictions were eased. It has been one of 100 charities in England sharing £8.1m government funding aimed at supporting victims and providing more refuge spaces. It follows a surge in calls to helplines since lockdown began. Charities had warned the lockdown could heighten domestic tensions and cut off escape routes. At one refuge in the West Midlands, women have been recording their experiences to help others in a similar situation.
-BBC News
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Domestic abuse survivors ‘not guaranteed homelessness protection’ – charities
Domestic abuse survivors may be forced between staying with their abuser or becoming homeless if the Government does not allow household members to seek housing support on their behalf, charities are warning. Crisis and domestic abuse charities have written to the Government asking it urgently to change a key part of the incoming Domestic Abuse Bill to allow others in the home to apply for help securing emergency housing. This is already the case for other groups who receive automatic priority need status, such as pregnant women. In early May, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the Bill would give survivors priority access to local housing services “much more easily” so they do not need to “make the unbearable choice between staying somewhere that they know is unsafe or becoming homeless”.
-Shropshire Star
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Traffic cops swoop on man wanted for domestic abuse related harassment
Traffic police swooped on a man wanted for domestic abuse related harassment as he travelled into Nuneaton. Warwickshire Police Force’s Operational Patrol Unit intercepted and stopped a Transit tipper van heading into Nuneaton from the A5 Red Gate. Officers said that the driver was wanted by West Midlands Police for domestic abuse related harassment. He was arrested and taken into custody. West Midlands officers then took over the case.
-Coventry Live
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New campaign urges support for victims trying to flee lockdown violence
AN INCREASING number of Asians are suffering financial and mental abuse during lockdown and need additional support, campaigners have said. Charities have seen a rise in people seeking help for different forms of domestic violence since the UK went into lockdown in March, as victims have found themselves forced to live with their abusive partners and family members. A campaign called #FaithsAgainstDomesticAbuse, backed by a number of charities, has called on the government to provide more help for services, particularly to those supporting survivors from ethnic minority backgrounds.
–Eastern Eye
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Domestic abuse campaigner Rachel Williams recognised with St David’s Award
A NEWPORT woman who survived being shot by her estranged husband and has since campaigned tirelessly for domestic violence reform has been honoured with a St David’s Award. Rachel Williams was announced as the recipient of the Humanitarian Award by first minister Mark Drakeford at the virtual ceremony last night. This year’s awards were originally scheduled to be held in March but were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. In a message to all the St David Awards recipients, the first minister said he hoped the “everyday but extraordinary” winners will find comfort in their recognition.
-South Wales Argus
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