Seek help for domestic abuse even in coronavirus crisis
Residents experiencing any kind of domestic abuse during the lockdown due to the coronavirus public health crisis can still get help.
Homes may not be a safe haven for some and the government has reiterated the restrictions around leaving home should not prevent people seeking help for domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse takes many guises from physical and verbal abuse, stripping people of self-worth to controlling and coercive behaviour such as preventing partners from contacting family and friends, as well as restricting access to phones, money and food.
Anyone wanting to talk about their situation and get advice or help leaving an abusive situation can still do so even during the lockdown.
National and Slough based agencies are still manning the phones and can help. If a resident feels in immediate danger they should call Thames Valley Police on 999.
Rachel Axtell, domestic abuse partnership coordinator, said: “Coercive and controlling behaviour can be hard to identify and detect by the people living in those circumstances.
“With the lockdown, people are living more closely than ever before and these behaviours may reveal themselves.
“Partners should not withhold food or drink, determine what can be said, worn or who an individual can be friends with. Also they should not stop a person from contacting their family or limit access to a phone.
“This virus does not stop people from getting help. In fact, the government has given special dispensation for those escaping controlling relationships.”
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “These are extraordinary times but coronavirus should not be the reason you don’t get help. There are people still working at organisations who can help and nobody suffering at the hands of a partner should wait to get help.”
The organisations which can help are Slough based Hestia Slough Domestic Service – 01753 477352, Thames Valley based Victims First Hub – 0300 1234 148, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247, Galop – 0800 999 5428 – for Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people, Karma Nirvana – 0800 5999 247 for help with so called honour based violence and forced marriage. National Women’s Aid offer a number of ways to get help on their website womensaid.org.uk.
Homes may not be a safe haven for some and the government has reiterated the restrictions around leaving home should not prevent people seeking help for domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse takes many guises from physical and verbal abuse, stripping people of self-worth to controlling and coercive behaviour such as preventing partners from contacting family and friends, as well as restricting access to phones, money and food.
Anyone wanting to talk about their situation and get advice or help leaving an abusive situation can still do so even during the lockdown.
National and Slough based agencies are still manning the phones and can help. If a resident feels in immediate danger they should call Thames Valley Police on 999.
Rachel Axtell, domestic abuse partnership coordinator, said: “Coercive and controlling behaviour can be hard to identify and detect by the people living in those circumstances.
“With the lockdown, people are living more closely than ever before and these behaviours may reveal themselves.
“Partners should not withhold food or drink, determine what can be said, worn or who an individual can be friends with. Also they should not stop a person from contacting their family or limit access to a phone.
“This virus does not stop people from getting help. In fact, the government has given special dispensation for those escaping controlling relationships.”
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “These are extraordinary times but coronavirus should not be the reason you don’t get help. There are people still working at organisations who can help and nobody suffering at the hands of a partner should wait to get help.”
The organisations which can help are Slough based Hestia Slough Domestic Service – 01753 477352, Thames Valley based Victims First Hub – 0300 1234 148, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247, Galop – 0800 999 5428 – for Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people, Karma Nirvana – 0800 5999 247 for help with so called honour based violence and forced marriage. National Women’s Aid offer a number of ways to get help on their website womensaid.org.uk.
