**Trigger warning** Domestic Violence/Domestic Abuse/Coercive Control/Sexual Violence/Rape

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Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse with 1 woman in 4 experiencing domestic abuse over the course of her lifetime.

2020 was challenging for many people, but for those suffering from domestic abuse, life became more isolated than ever before.

ONS reported in November 2020 that ‘There has generally been an increase in demand for domestic abuse victim services during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly affecting helplines as lockdown measures eased; this does not necessarily indicate an increase in the number of victims, but perhaps an increase in the severity of abuse being experienced, and a lack of available coping mechanisms such as the ability to leave the home to escape the abuse, or attend counselling’.

We talk with Andrea , CEO of Berkshire Women’s Aid about the challenges they faced when Covid-19 disabled their most important lines of communication, how they adapted and the issues they faced along the way.

We discuss the signs, the help and where to go for those living with domestic abuse.

You can find more information below;

Berkshire Womens Aid
http://www.berkshirewomensaid.org.uk
0118 950 4003

Refuge
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/en
0808 2000 247

Solace
https://www.solacewomensaid.org
0808 802 5565

Womens Aid
https://www.womensaid.org.uk