One in ten London crimes involves domestic abuse.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline has recorded a 25% jump in abuse inquiries since lockdown.
There have been fears that domestic violence would increase due to the nationwide lockdown as victims of domestic abuse find themselves indoors with their abusers. Sadly, those fears have come to pass after nine recorded killings have been made in the UK in the first week of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Lucy Hadley, of Women’s Aid, has reported that an online chat service, which is open for two hours, attracts between 200 to 400 users a day and that demand has been increasing over the last few weeks.
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical it’s a pattern of controlling, threatening and coercive behaviour, which can also be emotional, economic, psychological or sexual. Abuse is a choice a perpetrator makes, and isolation is already used by many perpetrators as a tool of control.
The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, confirmed that the country will crackdown on domestic abusers during the UK lockdown. Speaking to the media, she stated that abusers would be hunted down and punished.
In the UK, the domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000 247 or contact the Helpline via Refuge’s contact form at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
Alternatively, if you would like to discuss your legal options please contact our Family Law Team who will assist you in the best way possible.
