When home is a place of danger

Writing for Liberal Democrat Voice, Caroline discusses the increased risk to domestic violence victims in a time when there are restrictions on leaving home.

So what can be done?

Well to start with, at a national level we need a significant and immediate increase in funding for support services for victims of domestic violence. Local authorities have always struggled to provide adequate services, so any initiative to quickly tackle the rising problem must come from central government.

We should also learn from France and seriously consider offering victims of domestic violence hotel places. Most hotels are empty at the moment and many refuges are already seriously crowded. It is a practical initiative that could provide the immediate support just at a time when it is most needed.

Of course domestic violence will not go away when we turn the tide of coronavirus and the real challenge is to ensure we have proper support services all year round and that domestic violence is effectively challenged.

But in the meantime we must do what we can to tackle this increasing level of violence and even deaths. Actions must be taken now.

You can read the full article here.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, or know someone who is, this link has details of organisations and helplines for victims of domestic abuse.