From the Guardian: Social isolation from coronavirus is fuelling a rise in domestic abuse cases - and leading charities to shift their support online 

By Sian Norris

Alison* is glad the sun came out at the same time the coronavirus lockdown arrived. “I’m spending all day on the balcony to keep away,” she explains. “I’m lucky I have one.”

Alison’s balcony offers her a small degree of distance from her partner, whose behaviour has become increasingly erratic since the coronavirus crisis began. For the estimated 1.6 million women who experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales last year, home isn’t a place of safety. Rather than a chance to catch up on a boxset or long delayed DIY project, self isolation for women in coercive or violent relationships means being trapped indoors with your abuser.

Alison assures me her partner won’t hurt her. “He’s had these episodes before,” she tells me over a messaging app, referring to bouts of heavy drinking that have intensified since the government introduced social distancing measures. “But he’s the worst I’ve known him for a long time.” She connects her partner’s moods with the pandemic. He “gets angry with me for being super careful about wiping things down and insisting he washes his hands,” she explains. “He thinks I’m being over the top. He’s angry with me for acting like a ‘mad person’, and calls me paranoid. But he’s putting my health at risk, too.” 

*Names have been changed.

Continue reading @ the Guardian.

For People With An Abusive Partner, Lockdown Means Captivity

From the Guardian: Social isolation from coronavirus is fuelling a rise in domestic abuse cases - and leading charities to shift their support online 

By Sian Norris

Alison* is glad the sun came out at the same time the coronavirus lockdown arrived. “I’m spending all day on the balcony to keep away,” she explains. “I’m lucky I have one.”

Alison’s balcony offers her a small degree of distance from her partner, whose behaviour has become increasingly erratic since the coronavirus crisis began. For the estimated 1.6 million women who experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales last year, home isn’t a place of safety. Rather than a chance to catch up on a boxset or long delayed DIY project, self isolation for women in coercive or violent relationships means being trapped indoors with your abuser.

Alison assures me her partner won’t hurt her. “He’s had these episodes before,” she tells me over a messaging app, referring to bouts of heavy drinking that have intensified since the government introduced social distancing measures. “But he’s the worst I’ve known him for a long time.” She connects her partner’s moods with the pandemic. He “gets angry with me for being super careful about wiping things down and insisting he washes his hands,” she explains. “He thinks I’m being over the top. He’s angry with me for acting like a ‘mad person’, and calls me paranoid. But he’s putting my health at risk, too.” 

*Names have been changed.

Continue reading @ the Guardian.

5 comments:

  1. Frightening, the feeling of being trapped and scared with no easy way out. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

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  2. Nor would I. And what about children at risk of abuse as well?

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  3. Didn't think of that, Barry. Horrific. We should ensure services that look after people in different ways are properly funded during this pandemic and after.

    My guess is the economic downturn will be an excuse to ignore the vulnerable.

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  4. Simon, the vulnerable have been ignored even without the pandemic. The same people telling you to stay in your home have been some of the main culprits, in fact they have assisted the perpetrators at times for eg Lord paedohile Janner. Not only that they've allowed his daughter airtime to blackwash the victims of child abuse.

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    1. MickO, I know the vulnerable have been ignored. In fact they've been persecuted. I was refering to the statistic in the article that one in six refuges have closed since 2010 and the call for more money to be injected into services. They didn't close down because of a downturn in domestic violence but because of an apathy or even hatred of the vulnerable.

      In these times of pandemic I agree with the need to stay inside. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day and the advice is consistent with science.

      Much talk has been made about whether society will change after the pandemic and whether society will treat people, the economy and the environment differently. In my opinion, it will be business as usual because any potential aggressive movement for change is up against an unwielding behometh of power and corruption.

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