Now we are in the middle of another lockdown, we are all once again facing the challenges of restricted freedoms. Pubs, restaurants, shops, leisure centres, and outdoor team sports are all closed and so we are having to spend more time in our homes, less time to have any space from the people we live with. I’ve also been looking at some of the stats about domestic violence. In the last lockdown, calls to the national domestic violence helpline increased by nearly 50%. Sixteen women were killed through domestic abuse in the first three weeks of the last lockdown.
25 November is White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon is a charitable organisation that seeks to end male violence against women, and I am the MVDC ambassador for the charity. I know that women can abuse men, men can abuse men, and women can abuse women – but the vast majority of domestic violence is men against women.
These charities provides support
Men: If you are worried about your behaviour, call the Respect Helpline on 0808 802 4040.
Women: If you need help, there are people you can talk to. You can contact the National Domestic Abuse 24 hour Helpline, free confidential support to victims and those worried about friends/loved ones on 0808 2000 247
And everybody, the following contacts may be of help:
The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors: 0808 801 0327
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Rape Crisis Freephone Helpline: 0808 802 9999
Samaritans (24/7 service): 116 123
You can find out more about White Ribbon at www.whiteribbon.org.uk. They have produced this lockdown toolkit, which some people (its aimed at men) will find useful: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5965f0e9e58c62e0520e1d7b/t/5fabff58e381275b86dd9ae5/1605107551525/Men+Ending+Violence+A+lockdown+toolkit+-+Low+Res.pdf
If you would like to demonstrate your support for the charity please join me in wearing a white top on 25 November.