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Your roundup of local and national
domestic abuse stories
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Children having counselling ‘every five minutes’ since start of coronavirus lockdown
Young people are having a counselling session every five minutes on average during the coronavirus lockdown, a leading charity has warned. Childline said they have dealt with at least 16,644 counselling sessions with children over their mental health concerns between the start of lockdown on March 23 and May 10. The NSPCC, which runs the support line, said this was more than half of the total 30,868 sessions delivered during the seven-week period.
-ITV News
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Somerset pharmacies open ‘safe places’ for people experiencing domestic abuse as pandemic continues
People experiencing domestic abuse in Somerset can get support in local pharmacies as they open ‘safe places’ for those isolating with abusers. Domestic abuse charities report surge in calls and referrals during lockdown. Pharmacies across the county will make consulting rooms available where people affected can go to get information about the support available. It follows a similar national scheme which has seen safe places set up in Boots pharmacies across the UK. Local pharmacies and supermarkets are among the few places people can visit during the current restrictions.
-ITV News
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Victims of domestic abuse in Cumbria urged to report it
Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Police are joining forces to reach out to people across the county who are at risk from domestic abuse. A new campaign launches this week to encourage victims, or people who are concerned about their friends, family or neighbours, to report incidents to Cumbria Police. Cllr Deborah Earl, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services, said: “As the government’s lockdown measures are eased it is important people who may have been suffering at home, come forward and seek help. “I would encourage anyone, males or females, who are worried to contact the police. Anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse will get the help they need to keep them safe.”
-Express & Star
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Sobering statistics on domestic abuse in lockdown
THE subject of this letter is one that far too many choose to ignore but needs highlighting more than ever now. Since the coronavirus lockdown the National Domestic Abuse Helpline has seen a 49% increase in calls, in the first four weeks double the usual number of women were murdered, and in London the Met Police are making a record 100 domestic abuse arrests a day. In the first four weeks of lockdown 14 women in the UK were shot, stabbed, beaten or burned to death in the UK, a rather sobering statistic. Tens of thousands of women nationwide are living in terror of physical and mental abuse, more so because their partners are furloughed and they are closely stuck together.
-The National
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We must focus on removing the root cause of domestic abuse, writes Sam Billingham
It’s 2020 and thanks to a pandemic that has been here for five minutes, victims of an epidemic – that has been around for many years and will continue to be around for many more – are now to be a priority. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I’m dismayed and disappointed that it has taken so long for the awareness and recognition of this abhorrent crime to come to light. It really does go to show how many men, women and children have been failed completely by the system. But now they are a priority, what next? Because there is so much more to be done.
-Express & Star
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