The Devastating Effects Of COVID-19 On Victims And Survivors Of Domestic Abuse

Published: March 29, 2020, 6:43 p.m.

Not everyone's home is a safe space and with lockdowns all around the world due to the coronavirus there is an alarming pattern happening - domestic abuse is rising - all over the globe. Charlie is joined by experts to give help and guidance to all victims, survivors and the general public in this time when we all need to be looking out for each other.

Our expert panel:

Samantha Billingham SODA Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Natalie Page The Court Said

John Sutherland Former Chief superintendent Metropolitan Police

Emma James Barnardo's

Suzanne Jacob OBE SafeLives

Tanya Hudson Child Survivor

Domestic abuse is sadly COMMON. Globally, almost half of all gay and bi men, 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 lesbian and bi women, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 6 men. In the UK more than 1 child in every street is in an unsafe and neglectful home and in the US more than 4 children die from child abuse and neglect on a daily basis. The UN Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children conservatively estimates that 275 million children worldwide are exposed to violence in the home. These are only the numbers that we know of. Just like COVID-19 not everyone is being tested to be included in the data. 

Please get in contact with us on email undiscussablepodcast@gmail.com - we are going to share stories, give expert advice and coping mechanisms for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and people struggling with their mental health. We would love you to send us a voice note, if you feel safe too, share with us what you are going through or ask a question, we would like to be able to use your note in our recording but only with your permission. We will also do a select amount of Skype sessions and bring experts on board - we will record this so that it can help others but again only with your permission - and we can also hide or change names. PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT USE ANYTHING PUBLICLY WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION. Do get in touch, send your voicenotes, questions you’d like answered and if you would like us to Skype you the address again undiscussablepodcast@gmail.com or through my contact form on charliewebster.com - we will do our best to get back to everyone that contacts us.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha Billingham awareness4all.uk and Natalie Page thecourtsaid@gmail.com and the SAFELIVES resource safelives.org.uk to help support you through this time.

Undiscussable is an independent production. Hosted and produced by me Charlie Webster with production and editorial support by Tanya Hudson - and a big thank you to our panel of experts, Sam, Natalie, John, Emma and Suzanne. Please head to www.charliewebster.com/undiscussable for more details, support and please share so we can help as many people as possible and raise much needed awareness!