Abusers use coronavirus isolation to gain power… I would be dead by now, says survivor Roxy

IT is only 11am and SupportLine’s inbox is already filling up.

An email drops from ­Lauren, a woman in her fifties, who is in shock.

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Last night, she was attacked by her partner — a horrifying first that left her shaken and scared, trapped in her home.

Her partner has been emotionally and verbally abusive before. But now it has turned physical. Losing his job while in lockdown has “tipped him over the edge”, she writes.

Due to the ongoing crisis, she has been unable to get out of the house to seek ­support. She is anxious her situation will escalate further. And her situation is far from unique. As we read her email, another five appear — making similar pleas for help.

As families across the country stay home to keep safe from Covid-19, for women in abusive relationships those four walls feel like a prison. Domestic Abuse charity ­Refuge reports a 25 per cent rise in calls to its helpline since lockdown began in March.

On December 28, 2018, life for Roxy changed as the ­violence peaked. She says: “We were in bed when a friend from work texted me and my ex flew into a rage. He beat me so hard I could barely breathe — punches to my face, knees, to my ribs and he repeatedly tried to choke me."

“He ripped out my hair and smashed my head on the floor. It was only when he stopped to catch his breath that I managed to run out on to the street and flag down help from a neighbour outside, who bundled me into their car and called the police."

“My ex was charged with assault by beating on March 6, 2019, and given a 12-month community service order, a restraining order and had to pay me £200. That is nothing for the damage he caused.”

The authorities are aware of potential damage lockdown could do. Last week the Government announced domestic abuse services in the UK will receive an extra £2million, alongside the Home Office’s new support campaign during the coronavirus lockdown.

Priti Patel launched the You Are Not Alone initiative in which people are encouraged to share a photo of a heart on their palm on social media with the hashtag #YouAreNotAlone. Other ­countries in lockdown are facing a similar rise in abuse cases.

He is told he should tell his daughter to keep her phone close at hand and call 999 if she ever feels her life is in danger. Sarah adds: “Three women are murdered by their partner or ex-partner every fortnight in England and Wales."

“With reported domestic abuse cases rising worldwide during the ­pandemic, there is a real risk that murders may rise further. It is critical to remember, however, that Covid-19 will not CAUSE domestic homicides."

“Only abusers are responsible for their appalling actions. The pandemic does, however, threaten to escalate abuse and close down routes to safety for women to escape.”

*Names of all those who contacted support agencies have been changed

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