Coronavirus pandemic: global domestic violence support guide

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen an alarming rise in global cases of domestic violence, leaving women and girls at increased risk of all forms of violence and abuse.

From the UK to China, Turkey to Kenya, women's right activists have reported surges in calls to domestic violence helplines - this is despite the fact that many women, at home with an abuser, will find it even more difficult to make the call.

If you are experiencing violence it is not your fault, and you are not responsible for stopping the violence - only the perpetrator can do that.

There is however support available to you, and there are small actions you can take to increase your safety. The following support guide might be helpful in developing your own safety plan.1

Please also contact support organisations in your community, and/or the emergency services where needed.

Remember: you are important. You are not alone. And violence is never acceptable.

Seek local support networks

Think about what support is available to you locally. 

This might be trusted friends or family you can reach out to; it might be a local women’s organisation that provides support services; it might be a national helpline that you can call or text. 

In the UK, for example, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Identify emergency services

Identify what you can do in an emergency situation.

Will the police in your local area provide a quick and supportive response service?

If so, make plans for how you could call them in an emergency.

If there are children in the house make sure they know how to call emergency services too.

Consider other trusted sources of support

Consider: who else can you trust in an emergency?

Do you have neighbours you could rely on for support, or are there local groups or associations you trust that might be helpful in an emergency?

Prepare an emergency bag

Can you safely prepare an emergency bag that you keep hidden in the house?

Prepare essentials like clothes, medicine and official documents so that you can grab them if you (and your children) need to leave at short notice.

Prepare emergency money

Can you (safely) prepare a small reserve of emergency money?

If possible, try to ensure you have small amounts of cash kept in places that you can access, and that your partner does not know about.

The lockdown should not prevent you from accessing essential services

While many countries are under lockdown, essential services do remain open.

They can be accessed safely within social distancing guidelines. This includes many women’s shelters. Do seek help when you need it.

Practise self-care

Identify ways you look after your own health and well-being day-to-day.

Try to keep basic supplies of food and medicine that you need in the house. Consider small ways you can keep calm and centred, such as simple breathing exercises, listening to music, eating as well as you can, and staying active.

Domestic violence services in the UK 

If you are in the UK, the following organisations are available for support. 

If you are outside of the UK, please seek local advice on the most appropriate services to access at this time. There are women’s organisations, helplines and services providing vital support to women and girls across the world during this time of crisis.

Please always call 999 (or your local emergency services) in an emergency.

A 24-hour national service for women experiencing domestic violence, as well as for their their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf.

A free national helpline for women and girls who have experienced abuse, rape and all forms of sexual violence.

Support for LGTB+ women, men and non-binary people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also have a dedicated service for trans people.

Download this guide (PDF)

Footnotes

  • 1Some of the information provided here has drawn on information available in the Women’s Aid Survivors Handbook and has been adapted for a global audience. https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/making-a-safety-plan/
Top image: Lorine, a member of the Nyarongi Women’s Network which works to end violence against women in Kenya. Karin Schermbrucker/ActionAid

Page updated 25 July 2024