Domestic abuse: lockdown restrictions a 'perpetrator's dream'
We're investigating the rise in incidents in South Yorkshire during the pandemic
Domestic abuse support services in South Yorkshire tell us tighter lockdown restrictions in the coronavirus pandemic are a "perpetrator's dream".
All this week we're investigating the rise in incidents during the pandemic and today we're told abusers have taken advantage of restrictions to control their victims.
Some have even used threats of infection with the virus as a weapon in their coercive behaviour.
Nicky Oates is the Group Co-oridinater at IDAS in Barnsley - she says lockdown rules have created the perfect conditions for abusers:
"Lockdown has been a perpetrator's dream. What they want to do is they want the victim in the house just serving them and they want to have the control, the power. Covid-19 has made it very easy for them.
"If a victim is isolated, they're not going to see anybody else and that's what the perpetrator wants.
"We put so much work into showing them what control is and how they've been controlled. It's all about empowerment and them building themselves up - they're allowed to make their own choices and they start feeling free again. And then control was put back on to them, but by Covid and by the government rules.
It comes as new stats show there was a rise of 28% in the number of victims of domestic abuse in Sheffield ending up homeless during lockdown.
Refuge places in Sheffield were mostly full at the height of restrictions as many victims were forced to flee dangerous situations.
Nicky says she was worried about a lot of those she supports:
"A lot of my clients I was having to pass over to the IDVAs (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) because I support with the emotional support and the IDVAs support with the risks and safety.
"So I was having to pass a lot of my clients over for extra support because they needed intensive safety planning because they were locked in the house with a perpetrator."
Alison Hughes, of Sheffield Council, says in a report:
“A key pressure during lockdown and since has been the difficulties in accessing safe accommodation. Refuge spaces and move on accommodation are mostly full up.
“Voluntary sector support services have all responded quickly to the lockdown and found creative ways of maintaining contact with clients through the use of webchat, zoom, WhatsApp and socially distanced walks.
“Staff continued to be onsite at the refuges during lockdown to offer reassurance and support. They have also been able to bid for substantial government funding that was not available to local authorities to support changes in service delivery.”
You can find links to domestic abuse support here.