Help is still available for victims of domestic abuse – we need your help to spread the message.

Restrictions imposed because of the pandemic may heighten domestic tensions and increase domestic abuse – for some people home is not always the safe place it should be.

Calls to our domestic abuse helpline and visits to the Somerset Survivors website have increased in recent weeks, however there is still more to do to inform the public that help is still and will continue to be available, for people experiencing domestic abuse.

The decision to leave an abuser is a difficult and courageous one to make, even without the added difficulties brought on by COVID-19; Self-isolating with a perpetrator of domestic abuse can make it difficult for someone to find a safe place, where they can be alone, to telephone for help. We also know that one of the things abusers sometimes do is stop their victims from having telephone and internet access or monitor it’s use very closely.

The fear of catching the coronavirus may also be putting people off leaving their homes to get help – we will be there for them when they are ready and in  the meantime there is lots of useful advice at www.somersetsurvivors.org.uk about managing in an abusive relationship during lockdown.

There may also be people who still think that our domestic abuse service is not running because of the pandemic or that they are not allowed to leave their home because of government restrictions – this is not the case. The service has robust plans in place to allow it to stay open throughout and beyond the pandemic, and, Government guidance allows for people to be able to leave their homes to flee domestic abuse, despite the restrictions that are in place.

We need your help to get this message out to the residents of Somerset.

You can help in a number of ways:

• Click here #NoClosedDoors2020 to find our campaign social media posts, online promotional material and articles and share them through your platforms.
• Monitor our social media posts and share them with your followers.
• Use or adapt our suggested copy on your intranet and in your newsletters or briefs.

 You can contact me at MWallis@somerset.gov.uk if:

• You wish to be tagged in social media posts to make it easier to pick out those relevant to domestic abuse.
• You require further resources, copy or information about domestic abuse.
• You would like further details about the #NoClosedDoors2020 campaign.
• You have a marketing or PR opportunity that would help deliver our key messages

More information and resources:

Campaign poster

You can download a high definition copy of the poster here.

#NoClosedDoors2020 photo library – a selection of emotive photographs that you can use in your media copy.

#NoClosedDoors2020 video library – a selection of useful videos, for you to share, about living with domestic abuse and accessing help that is available.

#NoClosedDoors2020 in the news – read about our domestic abuse campaign in the press.

Press releases:

Don’t suffer in silence – help is at hand

Somerset pharmacies offer a safe place for victims of domestic abuse

Free train travel to help those fleeing domestic abuse

Council’s campaign spreads awareness of elder abuse

Articles:

Unsure about domestic abuse? #NoClosedDoors2020 can help

Don’t let a friend suffer behind closed doors

With 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime, it is likely we all know someone suffering behind closed doors.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give – let’s make a difference together.