Support available for Peterborough and Cambs domestic abuse victims as fears lockdown will see incident spike

Residents in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire are being reminded that support is in place for victims of domestic abuse.
By Joel Lamy
Published 31st Mar 2020, 11:50 BST
Updated 31st Mar 2020, 12:10 BST
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During the current coronavirus ‘stay at home’ situation one of the concerns is that there will be an increase in reports of domestic abuse. Home is not likely to be a safe place for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and they will be increasingly isolated from sources of support.

The window of opportunity for anyone with an abusive partner to make a call and seek help is often very limited and that window is now likely to be even smaller. Research undertaken in China during the Wuhan lockdown revealed an increase of a third in reported domestic abuse incidents.

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Cllr Mark Goldsack, White Ribbon ambassador and lead member for community safety and domestic violence at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “As a White Ribbon ambassador, domestic abuse of all kinds is constantly in my mind. Under current rules for Covid-19, families will be under new and different pressures which could put vulnerable people in a heightened risk of domestic abuse.

Police fear a rise in domestic violence as the coronavirus outbreak grips the UKPolice fear a rise in domestic violence as the coronavirus outbreak grips the UK
Police fear a rise in domestic violence as the coronavirus outbreak grips the UK

“We want to make sure that despite the conditions our support services are available for those that may need them. Please stay safe and contact specialist support services or the police if you are suffering any form of domestic abuse, sexual violence or coercive behaviour.”

Cllr Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities at Peterborough City Council, said: “Under the new ‘stay at home’ rules in place for coronavirus, families will be under new and different pressures which could put vulnerable people at a heightened risk of all kinds of domestic abuse.

“We want to make sure that despite the current circumstances our support services are available for those that may need them. Please stay safe and contact specialist support services or the police if you are suffering any form of domestic abuse, sexual violence or coercive behaviour.”

Support services can be found at: https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/news/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19 and https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19.