Since March, governments across the world have imposed national lockdowns to try to combat the effects of coronavirus and the strain it has put on our healthcare providers. However, many people live in fear of members of their households. Victims of domestic abuse have been forced to spend more time with their abusers and often the lockdown restrictions are used by abusers, as a further means to control their victims. The New York times reported that domestic violence reports increased by 30% in France and 18% in Spain after their national lockdowns. In the UK, 16 people were killed in the initial three weeks of lockdown - the highest figure in 11 years. The number of calls to abuse helpline in the UK rose by 49% in the same short time period. The consequences of the lockdowns extend further than just to inevitable economic impacts. The emotional and social scars of this trying period will be carried for a lifetime by all. For some vulnerable children, women and men, those scars include physical ones too.
Jade
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