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DV

Message from MARAC

We know that COVID-19 will have serious impacts on the lives of women and children experiencing domestic and sexual abuse. 
 
We know that the government’s advice on self or household-isolation will have a direct impact on women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Home is not likely to be a safe place for survivors of domestic abuse. We are concerned that social distancing and self-isolation will be used as a tool of coercive and controlling behaviour by perpetrators, and will shut down routes to safety and support. 
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The impact of self-isolation will also have a direct impact on specialist services, who are already operating in an extremely challenging funding climate, and will be rightly concerned about how to continue delivering life-saving support during the pandemic. 
 
Survivors are already telling us that they are feeling unsafe with the prospect of being isolated in the house with their perpetrator. 
 

If you are in contact with a survivor, please let them know:

  • Try and keep a mobile phone with you at all times if possible. The police are a key service when in immediate danger. Do not be afraid to call 999 in an emergency.
  • Silent Solutions is a system for victims of domestic abuse who might be afraid of further danger and escalation of harm if they are overheard when calling 999 in an emergency.
  • When somebody calls 999, an operator will ask which emergency service is required. If the caller is unable to audibly signal to the operator, the call will be forwarded to an operating system.
  • If 55 is pressed by the caller, the system will detect this. The operator will then transfer the call to the relevant police force as an emergency. Click here to find out more.
  • National helplines, email, text and live chat support services, and local specialist services, are currently open for business as usual, although their delivery is likely to have to adapt over the coming weeks.
 
Camden Safety Net IDSVAs continue to make contact with survivors on the phone. For the harder to reach survivors they will create a safe case by case plan to continue to provide support. 
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Added 26/3/20
Last updated: 21 December 2020