Calls to Women's Aid jump 41% since start of Covid-19 pandemic
In 2020, the helpline responded to 17,729 calls compared to 12,506 in 2019.
Calls to a frontline support service for women affected by domestic abuse have jumped by more than 40% since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
New figures have been released by Womenâs Aid ahead of Christmas amid concerns about impact of lockdown on victims.
Womenâs Aid said that from March 23 until the end of November, the 24-hour National Freephone Helpline responded to 41% more calls than the same time last year.
In 2020, the helpline responded to 17,729 calls compared to 12,506 in 2019.
The charity said that staff are âpreparing for the Christmas period with women calling in the run-up to Christmas worried about their partnerâs abusive behaviour and financial stressâ.
Sarah Benson, CEO of Womenâs Aid, said Christmas is âa tough timeâ and that the abuse women are suffering âis more frequent and more severeâ.
Ms Benson said that she fears a January lockdown may deter victims getting in touch after Christmas.
The charity said that Christmas âoffers no respite for victims with many women and their children spending the festive season living in fear and walking on eggshellsâ.
The Womenâs Aid helpline will be available all day every day, including Christmas Day.
The charity said the figures are only the âtip of the icebergâ as âthe vast majority of those who suffer domestic violence and abuse will never actually reach out to a specialist support organisationâ.
They said that at Christmas, âabusive men can use the holidays to threaten the well-being of children using them as pawns to control and intimidate during what should be a time of joyâ.
Ms Benson said: âDecember and Christmas is a tough time for women and often the abuse they are suffering is more frequent and more severe with women disclosing that they have been assaulted, hospitalised, being ignored and being called the most horrible names.
âJust because it is the festive season, it doesnât mean that physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse goes away.
âWomen tell us that their ex-partners are threatening to withhold finances and presents for the children unless she does what he wants. Women are being manipulated and controlled by their partnersâ.
Speaking about a potential lockdown in the New Year, Ms Benson said that it concerns here.
âIn recent months we have received calls from women phoning in garden sheds, their cars or bathroom with the shower turned on to mask the conversation.
âUsually after Christmas, people go back to work and the kids go back to school and it creates that breathing space for taking the opportunity to reach out for support. That may not be an option this time aroundâ.
The charity has highlighted that there normally isnât a spike in calls on Christmas Day as âmany women will work very hard to keep the peace to bring some semblance of normality for their children this Christmasâ.
They said: âIt is often in the aftermath of December 25 that the organisation receives more calls from women who are living in fear of assault or who are taking steps to leave the relationship and who suddenly find themselves and their children homeless and without any means or supportsâ.
Womenâs Aid will be sharing information via a social media campaign called âDonât Suffer in Silenceâ to highlight supports and Ms Benson said they will not stop working over Christmas.
âThis year we will be open 24 hours a day every day, including the 25 December and over New Year,â she said.
âServices are vital at this time of the year and we are committed to answering as many calls as we can. We need to continue to give women the opportunity to talk things through and offer the support they need, when they need it.
âWe are here for every woman who needs to talk about anything that is making them anxious, worried and fearful about their partner. Every call is important so please just pick up the phoneâ.
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