A Manchester-based domestic violence charity has revealed it received 22,000 referrals in 2020 - double the amount received the year before.
Domestic Violence Assist, which is based in Wythenshawe, runs a 24/7 helpline for domestic violence victims.
It is also used as a referral service for police forces, social services, and housing associations, alongside other organisations including Barnado’s and Women’s Aid.
Luis Labaton, founder and chief executive of DV Assist, said there was ‘no doubt’ in his mind that the pandemic had been an attribute towards the steep rise in referrals.
“Many people living with controlling, abusive and unpredictable partners have effectively become trapped at home during the various lockdowns and since the introduction of the tier system,” Luis explains.
“The Covid-19 crisis has increased domestic tension and led to more physical, sexual and financial and emotional abuse.
“With fewer visitors to the home, evidence of abuse may have gone unnoticed and therefore not brought to the attention of the various agencies.”
The charity, which was formed in 2016, has also received more than 2,000 referrals since Christmas and is on track for January to be its busiest month ever.
“Since Christmas Day alone, we have received 2,500 referrals, which is vastly more than we have seen in the past during this period,” Luis adds.
“People who remained at home with their abuser so as not to spoil Christmas for the kids have since plucked up the courage to take action and report their suffering to agencies such as the police and social services, or call us directly for advice.”
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To meet growing demand, the charity recently moved from its original base in Altrincham to a bigger premises in Wythenshawe.
DV Assist has also recruited an additional 20 volunteers, who are mostly retired legal professionals, and six full-time case workers since September.
The expansion has been made possible by grants from Forever Manchester and the National Lottery Community Fund.
“We’ve seen a huge rise in referrals and calls since the pandemic started,” Luis adds.
“This has necessitated a major recruitment programme and a move to bigger premises to accommodate our growing team.
“We’re extremely grateful to the organisations and individuals who have supported us financially to make this expansion possible.
“It means we are well-equipped to handle our growing caseload, with more staff alongside a substantial investment in new software.”
DV Assist is the UK’s only registered charity that specialises in arranging civil protection orders for victims of domestic abuse.
These include non-molestation injunction orders, prohibited steps orders and occupation orders.
Non-molestation orders prevent a partner, former partner or associated person from being violent or threatening violence towards a person or any children, and also prevents intimidation, harassment and pestering.
Meanwhile, prohibited steps order allow courts to apply a restriction on parental responsibility, such as removing a child from their nursery or school, taking them out of the local area or the UK or changing their surname.
“We have also seen cases where single parents have had their children taken by partners during the lockdowns and not returned due to the situation,” Luis says.
“More victims – men and women – have sought assistance from us.
“The intensity and pattern of abuse appears to have escalated, while at the same time access to other resources offering help has reduced due to the impact of the pandemic.”
Anyone seeking advice or support with regards to domestic violence can visit the DV Assist website or call them free on 0800 195 8699.
