It is not unknown that in situations of crisis, violence against women and girls rises. This should not come as a shock to anyone. However, first responses to Covid-19 overlooked the needs of women and there was a total oversight towards how an enforced lockdown would impact victims of domestic abuse.

Additionally, in the initial release list of ‘key workers’, domestic violence professionals were left off, and only added following the calls of Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, Dawn Butler. State response has been purely reactive. It has taken this crisis for the work of these professionals to be recognised as vital for keeping people safe and protected. Another example of a key-worker’s role jumping from invisibility to heroism within a capitalist framework, waiting to see if they will be disregarded as quickly as they were enunciated.

One member of our Sheroes team, is an independent advocate for victims/survivors of domestic violence, working to increase their safety and mitigate risk through emotional and practical support. Here she shares a small reflection on how her role has been impacted, and how she has adapted during Covid-19.

“As frontline workers supporting women and girls impacted by violence and abuse we have now all taken to home-working. The services that have helplines are all being diverted to workers’ mobile phones, that they will answer within their homes in shift patterns. Our service is still operating at full capacity, with our advocacy and emotional support unchanged. However, much of this also relies on the capability of other public agencies such as the police, social services, housing, local authority and healthcare, as we work together to safeguard victim/survivors of abuse. We are taking things day by day. We are safety planning extensively with women who are co-isolating with their abusers and looking at creative ways to ensure safety, such as suggesting apps that can be used as safety planning tools, or identifying code words that can be used with friends in times of emergency. Whilst reminding women that although it should never be their responsibility to safety plan to prevent domestic abuse, if they are not ready to leave their situation a safety plan can help to increase a sense of control and support them to manage. Women have been patient and understanding, and I have been so inspired by those who are confronting adversity with resilience and rational. Their strength gives me strength and motivates us all to continue on in our support for them.”