'Women afraid' amid fears over domestic abuse spike during festive season

Domestic abuse levels have soared to ‘unprecedented levels’ amid lockdowns where victims are trapped in their homes with an abusive partner – with police data revealing cases usually peak during the festive season in December: a time of year when women are said to be particularly 'afraid’.

Restrictive measures preventing people leaving the house, working from home, social outlets such as pubs and restaurants having their doors slammed shut, have all contributed to a poisonous recipe for abuse.

Not to mention the increase in isolation, heightened stress levels with reduced means or loss of work, and abusees being unable to see those close to them, have only exacerbated their plight.

And with the festive period now upon us – a time of year when domestic abuse traditionally spikes – this Christmas represents an especially dangerous time for those on the receiving end of physical and mental torture after the events of the year and the restrictions that still remain despite being eased.

Lisa King, director of communications and external relations at domestic abuse charity Refuge said: ‘This year has been an incredibly difficult one for the many thousands of women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

‘Many have faced being isolated with their abusive partners, and many have fled and are now going into the festive season far away from home, but in the safety of a refuge.

‘Of course neither lockdown nor the festive season are triggers for domestic abuse – it happens all year round and doesn’t come by appointment – but both can aggravate pre-existing abusive behaviours, and many women will be afraid as the holiday season approaches.

‘Refuge wants women to know that you are not alone. You can call us any time of day or night – even on Christmas Day – and one of our trained helpline staff will be there to support you.’

According to Portsmouth City Council 38 per cent of assaults in the city take place in a family setting.

Figures from the Safer Portsmouth Partnership report a slight increase in domestic abuse offences from April to June 2020, which is a continuation of the current upward trend.

But this is likely to be skewed with the level of domestic abuse possibly higher than reported crimes suggest – with lockdown measures meaning people experiencing domestic abuse have had less opportunity to seek support or engage with services.

Claire Lambon, CEO of Stop Domestic Abuse, said there had been a huge increase in cases.

‘We have seen an unprecedented demand in the increase for support to victims of domestic abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic in Portsmouth,’ she said.

‘Working in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, Stop Domestic Abuse has successfully secured funding from a number of local and national funders to meet this increase in demand in Portsmouth.’

This funding includes nearly £57,000 from the Ministry of Justice via the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner to support both medium and high-risk victims.

Additional funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Police Crime Commissioner and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Fund to set up and run an additional refuge in Portsmouth supporting a further five families at any one time.

‘This additional refuge has been full since it was opened in July and provides life-saving services to women and children,’ Ms Lambon added.

Meanwhile councillor Lee Hunt, member for community safety, said ‘tackling domestic abuse has been a priority for the Safer Portsmouth Partnership (SPP) for more than a decade’.

But the councillor admitted lockdown had presented new challenges which will continue to be felt while restrictions remain and through the festive season.

‘During lockdown we continued to provide early intervention family support services including support for people experiencing tension and abuse,’ he said.

‘Schools were in contact with vulnerable families on a regular basis and able to bring in help where necessary through our specially created “link coordinator” scheme and the HIVE.

‘Extra funding was made available for Stop Domestic Abuse, to help manage demand, including £56,000 from Portsmouth City Council and additional government funding.’

Earlier this month The Safer Portsmouth Partnership launched its annual domestic abuse campaign, Is This Love, to encourage people to consider if their relationships are healthy.

The campaign aims to highlight the signs of domestic abuse and signpost individuals to where they can get help.

Kirsty Mellor, from Portsmouth, found the courage to leave an abusive relationship. ‘It didn't begin with physical violence,’ she said.

‘It was subtle and gradual - to the point everything I did throughout my daily routine I had him in mind; from tins stacked front-facing and toothpaste squeezed correctly to gravy made with water first. He dictated the way I did everything and anything.

‘When he was cross he would hurl abuse at me. He was always sorry after, but that didn't break the cycle and the violence soon escalated to physical abuse.’

Clare Jenkins, Portsmouth Superintendent for Hampshire Constabulary, said: ‘This campaign is particularly pertinent at this time of the year when we know that the number of domestic abuse cases reported increase. It’s important to be working together to ensure that anyone suffering from domestic abuse knows where to get help.’

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need support please call Stop Domestic Abuse, on: 023 9206 5494 (9am-9pm Monday to Friday and 10am-6pm weekends and bank holidays). If it's an emergency, always call 999.

Or call Refuge on 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to access support via live chat.

SEE ALSO: Police hunt yob who threatened to beat up shop staff

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