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This article was originally published October 2020.  The data has not improved.

United Nation’s-Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that being confined with abusive partners during the pandemic has led to a “horrifying global surge in domestic abuse”.  This well organized domestic violence resource guide with hotlines and practical advice.  It has been gathered by Michelle Cardillo a member of a Women’s Rights action group.  Share this widely.

 

National Domestic Violence Hotlines

 

National Domestic Violence Hotlines

United Kingdom: You can’t trust the government

The 25% jump in U.K. abuse reports isn’t surprising. A recent study shows that the pandemic exposed severe flaws in the government’s approach to domestic abuse.

Impossible Questions & Painful Statistics
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Impossible Questions & Painful Statistics

Funds promised to services who support victims of Domestic Abuse back in October 2019 have not yet been supplied. This is surprising, considering the Government signed the Istanbul Convention in 2012 to reaffirm the U.K.’s strong commitment to tackle violence against women and girls. In reality, most of the U.K.’s 48 support services had to shut down at least one of their support channels. Abuse victim shelters are nearing full capacity, and the Coronavirus outbreak made everything worse – particularly for Asian, Black, and other minority victims.

We need to take the initiative and help people ourselves. This list will show you contacts that are still available and can help save lives today.

Domestic Violence Hotlines Across the U.K.

European Union: Most victims don’t know where to turn

As the Coronavirus Plague’s hit grew hard in Europe, cases of Domestic Violence simply skyrocketed.

Designated hotlines in Spain reported a 47% increase in women calling for help and a shocking 700% increase in online approaches from victims. Calls for help increased by 40% in Austria, and in France there’s been a 36% increase in police interventions for cases of abused women and children since the outbreak.

Being locked in with their abuser made calling for help harder than ever. Women in France and Spain had no choice, and began asking for help from pharmacists when they managed to go out to get medications. You can help make a difference by utilizing these contacts – whether you’re a victim of Domestic Abuse in the E.U. yourself or know somebody there who is being abused.

Domestic Violence Hotlines in European Countries

Additional Global Domestic Violence Hotlines & Resources

How can I tell if someone is being abused?

It’s not always clear. In many cases, you can hear the fights, pangs of violence, cries, or see a victim with bruises – while in many other cases, you won’t be close enough for that.

There are critical indications you can be aware of, however, and know when you’re talking to a person in need of help.

For example: A person who said their abuser – a spouse, family member, or other type of partner – doesn’t let them communicate with their children, family, or friends, using Coronavirus as an excuse. Another indication is a person who has no financial control over their own life and can’t spend any money without approval from their partner – not even for an office gift or a lunch. One more possible indication is a person who just won’t speak about their relationship or partner at all, mostly out of fear of repercussions.

What can I do to help?

Remember that many cases of Domestic Abuse end in murder. They also more frequently include rape, severe injuries, and unimaginable emotional scars – including (and often especially) for the children in the household. Therefore, it is your duty to help the authorities get to the victims and end their nightmare. This is how you’ll do it without risking your own life.

  1. Don’t push the victim.
    Sometimes it seems odd that an abused wife won’t file a complaint against her husband to end her suffering – and people will just pressure her to do so. Remember that you don’t know what the victim has gone through, and reporting the abuse might be horrifying for them. Sometimes they try to protect their abuser out of fear, or a feeling that they deserve such abuse. Therefore, they will need your help – and not a lecture about how they need to stop suffering and help themselves.
  2. Don’t be afraid to make an anonymous report.
    Call the police if you hear an active, ongoing incident – you might very well be saving that victim’s life.
  3. Call a support service.
    Every one of the services listed here are well-trained in cooperating with the police, social services, and other relevant bodies. They can give you advice regarding the specific case at hand, and contact the victim themselves without mentioning you at all.
  4. Avoid the abuser.
    You’re trying to help a victim by getting the right professionals on the case, not by taking the law into your own hands or getting into trouble. Don’t talk to the abuser, even if you’re well acquainted, and don’t threaten them. Leave them for the cops and legal system.
  5. Keep things confidential.
    While helping a person in need is grounds for praise in social media, it might also expose that case and cause new or additional hardships for the victim. Also, a person who’s fishing for praise on Facebook or Twitter might play into the hands of the abuser’s lawyers, saying your report was dishonest as you were in it only to gain likes and popularity.

sources:
https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/04/policy-brief-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-women
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/europe/domestic-violence-coronavirus-lockdown-intl/index.html
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/28/three-women-killed-in-spain-as-coronavirus-lockdown-sees-rise-in-domestic-violence
https://www.wcpo.com/news/coronavirus/number-of-domestic-violence-hotline-calls-on-the-rise-since-self-isolation-period-started

 

#AntonioGuterres #childwellfare#domesticabuse

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Author: Mike Tikkanen