Social distancing could raise concerns about abusive behaviour, charity warns
'Isolation could be used as a tool for coercive and controlling behaviour as well as exacerbating other forms of abuse', said the chief executive officer of Jewish Women’s Aid.
Self isolation during the pandemic could raise concerns about abusive behaviour, a Jewish domestic violence charity has warned.
Schools across the country will shut on Friday to most pupils, except vulnerable children and those whose parents are considered “essential” workers, in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
A list of key workers published by the government on Friday includes journalists, frontline health and social care staff, people involved in food production and delivery, and utility workers.
But social distancing measures – which could be in place for at least six months according to the Government’s scientific advisers – could affect victims of abusive behaviour, a charity has warned.
“Our main concern at the moment is that self or household isolation could cause abusive behaviour to get worse for women and children,” said Naomi Dickson, the chief executive officer of Jewish Women’s Aid.
“Isolation could be used as a tool for coercive and controlling behaviour as well as exacerbating other forms of abuse. We would urge women to contact the police if they or their children are in immediate danger,” she added.
Amid the pandemic, the domestic abuse and sexual violence charity will keep its helplines open and is developing a new web chat service, due to launch after Pesach.
Most face to face appointments will be replaced with remote phone or video calls, as the charity continues to offer support services, such as casework and counselling.
Anyone who needs help can call the Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 801 0500, which is open Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 9.30pm.
If you are affected by sexual violence, contact the Dina Support Line on 0808 801 0656. The helpline is open from 10am until noon, and from 1pm to 3pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and from 1pm to 3pm on Thursdays.
In an emergency, always call 999.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
