Refuge charity homepage. Image: LMMNews screen grab

Domestic Abuse Calls up are by 25% since lockdown began.

A spokesperson for the charity Refuge says calls to National Domestic Abuse Helplines have increased by 25% since lockdown began two weeks ago.

Refuge had received hundreds more calls compared to pre-lockdown figures.

Domestic Abuse campaigners have warned that restrictions to movement and isolation measures could heighten rates and intensity of domestic abuse cases.

I’m going to say something very real right now!

My thoughts are with the women who are in abusive relationships. Being in #lockdown could increase tension at home. I wonder how many women are getting beaten up by a violent spouse while being stuck at home.#Domesticviolence — ZAHRA AL-ALAWI (@ZahraAlawi) March 29, 2020

One anonymous victim, speaking to the BBC, said her life had become intolerable since the lockdown.

Another woman described how her situation had worsened: ‘It’s been bad. As soon as he gets up, he tries to cause an argument out of nothing…if I fire back he’ll just hit me.’

I cannot stand it 💔 all these ticking time bombs now taking the ‘final’ bit of control! I am sure we will see much more of these domestic terrorists committing their last final crime over the coming weeks & months…WE HAVE TO DO MORE, MUCH MORE! https://t.co/xvLjg1HC8d

— Rachel Williams (@Dontlookback198) April 5, 2020

Domestic Abuse campaigner, Rachel Williams, has warned that the UK may see a dramatic spike in cases of domestic abuse and potential homicides.

Last  year 1.6 million women in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse. Williams say:

While in lockdown or self-isolation, women and children are likely to be spending concentrated periods of time with perpetrators, potentially escalating the threat of domestic abuse and further restricting their freedom.

The charity Refuge will continue to run its 24 hour hotline to ensure victims of domestic abuse receive help during this challenging period.

Police are also urging victims to report their experiences and seek help from domestic abuse support services.

Domestic Abuse charity Woman’s Aid has linked with other support services to send an open letter to the prime minister, calling for an urgent strategy to protect women and girls and to prevent abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’ve united with over 40 orgs urging the PM to include the needs of the most disadvantaged women in the govt’s response to Covid-19. We must not leave women who are already vulnerable to face even more difficulty during this crisis. Read more here 👇https://t.co/pEVC1c9l6Q

— Women’s Aid (@womensaid) April 3, 2020

For information and support on domestic abuse, contact:

Police: 999 press 55 when prompted if you can’t speak Refuge UK wide 24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247

Welsh Women’s Aid Live Fear Free 24-hour helpline: 0808 80 10 800

Scotland National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriages 24-hour helpline: 0800 027 1234

Northern Ireland Domestic Abuse 24-hour helpline: 0808 802 1414

Online webchats and text services are also available.

Death of NHS nurse Liz Glanister

An NHS nurse, Liz Glanister, working at Aintree Hospital in Liverpool, has died after contracting the Coronavirus.

Liz Glanister, 68, was a long-serving NHS worker. She died on Friday, at Liverpool University Hospital, after testing positive for Covid-19.

Dianne Brown, the chief nurse at Liverpool Hospital, confirmed Ms Glanister’s death saying  she would be ‘sadly missed by all those who knew and worked with her.’

The mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, also paid tribute to Ms Glanister, offering his ‘deepest sympathy’  to her family and friends.

So sad to hear the news that Staff Nurse Liz Glanister from Aintree Hospital has died on Friday after testing positive and suffering from Covid-19 Our deepest sympathy goes to family and friends & shows again the dangers and sacrifice our health workers are making daily #RIPLIZ

— Joe Anderson (@mayor_anderson) April 5, 2020

More than 3,500 NHS frontline staff in England and Wales have been tested for the virus since the outbreak began.

There’s continuing praise for the hard work and bravery of NHS health workers who are saving lives around the clock, whilst risking their own health and safety.

A powerful mural tribute to our wonderful #NHS staff, by Yorkshire artist, Rachel List 🙌🏼

(Not #Banksy) pic.twitter.com/2SRacXcs7N — Real Media (@RealMediaGB) April 4, 2020

Local parks to stay open where possible.

Social Distancing Guidelines at Hyde Park. Image: Phoebe McIndoe

The Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has defended the actions of Britons today who were continuing to enjoy public green spaces during the lockdown.

In an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, Jenrick empathised with families living in ‘flats without gardens’ and ‘cramped accommodation,’ commenting that park-closures should be a ‘last resort’ only.

Jenrick urged local authorities to ‘be very judicious’ when deciding whether or not to keep parks open.

He added that parks should only be closed if councils feel it is impossible for social distancing rules to be adhered to.

🌳 Councils know that parks are a lifeline for many residents right now.

🌲 They want to keep them open and will only close them as a very last resort. 🙏 Please follow social distancing rules to help them out. pic.twitter.com/TWu3dv6Bsl — Local Government Association (@LGAcomms) April 6, 2020

Warm weather over the weekend prompted a number of people to breach social distancing restrictions resulting in subsequent park closures.

Brockwell was temporarily closed after Lambeth council reported around 3,000 people visiting the park; some of whom were sunbathing and congregating in large groups.

Despite clear advice, over 3000 people spent today in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups. This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the actions of a minority now means that, following police advice, Brockwell Park will be closed tomorrow. #StayHome

— Lambeth Council (@lambeth_council) April 4, 2020

Members of the public are mostly adhering to Government guidelines.

In an open letter to Londoners the Royal Parks applauded those who were using the parks responsibly, whilst appealing to other members of the public:

Many people in London are not lucky enough to have a garden, many families are living in very cramped conditions…please don’t gather in groups, keep two metre distance, take litter home and keep dogs under control.

The Royal Parks Team sent out a further message thanking “everyone who used their local parks and green spaces responsibly over the weekend”.

Thank you Paul. And thank you to everyone who used their local parks and green spaces responsibly over the weekend. https://t.co/XxFayJO5Uj

— theroyalparks (@theroyalparks) April 6, 2020

Harriet Harman, Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, called for parks rotas to be implemented so that all families living in flats with young children have the opportunity to escape the indoors.

Rota for parks please. Volunteer park wardens to supplement hard-working council team! https://t.co/oMNWvcDrhr

— Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) April 5, 2020

Since then Harman has also backed the idea of opening empty golf courses to the public.