Demand for Refuge’s service stays high as tech abuse increases
Calls to the national domestic abuse helpline run by Refuge are currently around 7,000 a month, a 52% increase on the 4,600 handled before Covid-19 struck in March 2020. The monthly number spiked at 8,000 in the first lockdown and again in the second. “It’s now levelled off, but at a new level of demand,” […]
DA work recognised in honours list
The Queen has acknowledged the efforts of several people in combatting domestic abuse by naming them in the New Year Honours List. The most high-profile recipient is former Spice Girl Mel B, awarded an MBE for her work with Women’s Aid. Having survived financial abuse, she joined the organisation in 2018. “To go through such […]
Pope calls domestic violence almost satanic
Pope Francis has likened domestic violence against women to being a humiliating, satanic act. “The number of women who are beaten and abused in their homes, even by their husbands, is very, very high,” he said in a broadcast by Italy’s TG5. “The problem is that, for me, it is almost satanic because it is […]
DA in line to be treated as seriously as knife crime
Domestic abuse and sexual offences should be considered as seriously as knife crime and murder, the Westminster government has announced. An amendment to legislation being considered by parliament will introduce a serious violence duty requiring public bodies to work together to tackle serious violence and can include domestic abuse and sexual offences. Domestic Abuse Commissioner […]
NCDV’s fresh drive to combat hidden domestic abuse
The National Centre for Domestic Violence has launched ‘The Big Cover Up’ to highlight the under reporting of domestic abuse. Created pro-bono by advertising agency Wunderman Thompson, the campaign features a series of partially covered-up billboards, partially hidden films and blocked social media channels to raise awareness of domestic violence. The accompanying text includes: “The […]
Project Shield speeds up police response to NMOs
A pilot scheme in North Yorkshire has improved how police officers and safeguarding professionals provide back up support to non-molestation orders (NMOs) issued to domestic abuse survivors, according to the county’s police force. “The new ways of working identified by Project Shield have enabled us to respond more effectively when victims report breaches of their […]
Jacobs acts to end postcode lottery of domestic abuse services
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales Nicole Jacobs has launched a survey open to survivors who have used or thought about using domestic abuse services in the last three years. Jacobs sees the initiative as the first step to ending what she termed as the shocking postcode lottery of services across the two […]
Top ten devices used by abusers revealed
Refuge and internet security company Avast have released a list of internet-connected (IoT) devices most used by perpetrators of domestic abuse against their victims. The top ten is: RING doorbells Amazon Alexa and Amazon Echo Google Home Hub Nest systems and smart thermostats Smart TVs Smart plugs Fitness trackers and Smartwatches (Apple Watch) Wireless systems […]
Refuge marks 50th anniversary by highlighting tech abuse
Fifty years on from setting up the first women’s shelter, Refuge this month released an advert in a campaign showing how modern technology can be used by domestic abuse perpetrators. Starting out as a TV and social media video for the ‘all-new 5G smartphone’, the narrator goes on to say “manipulating her has never been […]
Police-NHS scheme helps 1,000-plus DA victims
A Lancashire Constabulary initiative in which independent domestic violence advocates (IDVAs) accompany officers responding to reports of domestic abuse has now supported more than 1,000 victims. Operation Provide was launched March last year at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, when official government advice was to isolate and stay at home, to offer additional support […]
