As the Coronavirus crisis continues to deepen, people in the UK have been ordered by the Prime Minister to “stay at home”.
With these restrictive measures came concerns over an increased risk of incidents of domestic violence and abuse. In the UK 1.6 million women experienced domestic violence last year and this number is expected to rise due to the Coronavirus lockdown.
Consequently, abuse victims are now permitted to leave their homes and seek refuge despite the strict actions imposed by the government. This announcement came after police reported a rise in domestic abuse since the spread of the pandemic in the UK.
If you know someone, or you are yourself a victim of physical, sexual, financial or emotional and verbal abuse contact the following for help:
Police (emergency) 999
England and Wales: Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247
