Domestic Abuse during Covid-19: What can we do?

Last week I spoke to Sue Penna who is the Chief Creative Director at Rock Pool, Rock Pool deliver trauma informed training across the UK. We started to pull apart the differences in family homes and what potential signs there are of a victim living with an abuser. We shared our experiences of healthy and unhealthy relationships, as well as Sue’s professional knowledge and insight.

We spoke about the West Midlands police reporting of the 400 arrests of suspects in relation to domestic abuse within a two week period (Express & Star).

And since then it has been reported that the National Domestic Abuse Helpline reported a 120% rise in the number of calls it received in one 24-hour period (gov.uk).

We talked about how we can be more observant as neighbours, community members or volunteers during the lockdown. 

You can watch the 15-minute discussion below which summarises in four different queries:

1. Have things changed?

The should have naturally changed due to the current circumstances of lockdown. Most family households will be under stress because of everything that comes with the lockdown, there will be a change in our households and we will hear that in our neighbours. What if there’s no change?

2. Are the arguments dominated by one person?

Arguments tend to be equal, one person shouts and then the other, generally it will become louder together. This won’t be the case in an abusive relationship.

3. Is it unnaturally quiet? In general or for a period after a one-sided argument?

We should be hearing noise, for example, if there are children living in the home we should hear them in the household. Are things unusually quiet, perhaps this also might come after a one-sided argument?

4. What do you see?

Do you see any injuries? Or an expression of hurt? Or perhaps you haven’t seen that person for a period of time.

Sue and I think there are other indicators to look out for, do you have any? Feel free to pop them in the comments of this blog and share them with everyone. 

Lets raise awareness of what we can look out for. 

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