International Domestic Violence Resource Guide: Coronavirus Update

By: Michelle Cardillo; As originally published in Mystic Mag

Domestic violence exploded during the first two months of the Coronavirus outbreak. In the U.S., there was a 30% increase of spousal/partner abuse towards women, and the U.K. saw a similar increase as well – 25%; and still – there is no updated, comprehensive resource that tells you where to go if you are suffering such horrible violence, or know someone who is a victim.

Such a resource is critical, as there are abusive partners that use the plague itself as a tool of terror. In many cases, they withhold medication, insurance cards, and even the ability to go purchase hand sanitizer from their victims – all while public health procedures, such as mass quarantines, prevent any chance of escape; this is on top of the pre-existing threat of violence that constantly looms over their heads.

LEADING THE RCNS/SCNS STATE HEADLINES:

Riverside man arrested after “savage” killing of chihuahua puppy

Armed road rage incident leads to fatal Indian Wells deputy-involved shooting

UPDATE: Woman killed after pulling “replica handgun” on Redding officers ID’d

Two children, two adults, ages 11, 16, 31, 37, ID’d after deadly San Jacinto wreck

Corona man who once drove to Arizona to have sex with “teen” charged with having sex with sexually trafficked minor in Hemet

Sadly, you can’t trust the government either. Social Services aren’t getting the necessary funds in these times and non-profit rescue organizations can’t do it alone. It is our duty to help the victims of this viciousness, and to not forget that the victims are women, men, and children alike.

In this guide, you will find every possible contact and useful tips that will help you to stop being a bystander, take action, and save lives (without putting your own at risk).

United States: The next murder is around the corner

Domestic Abuse has been outrageously common in the USA, long before the Coronavirus plague. In fact, 50% of women visiting emergency rooms nationwide have a history of abuse, and 40% of those murdered by their abuser tried to get help in the last 2 years before their death. In too frequent of circumstances, they didn’t get enough help from their surroundings – and in these times of lockdowns and mobility limitations, it’s even harder for them to reach out. According to recent research, Domestic Violence has increased by 30% in the U.S. during March and April alone.

It seems the next murder is right around the corner. The U.S. has seen an increase in violent risk factors: Gun sales reached a 7-year peak, with 1.9 million firearms sold in March 2020 alone; and liquor sales also rocketed by 31.7% in the same period, in comparison to 2019.

United Kingdom: You can’t trust the government

The 25% jump in U.K. abuse reports isn’t surprising. A recent study shows that the pandemic exposed severe flaws in the government’s approach to domestic abuse.

Funds promised to services who support victims of Domestic Abuse back in October 2019 have not yet been supplied. This is surprising, considering the Government signed the Istanbul Convention in 2012 to reaffirm the U.K.’s strong commitment to tackle violence against women and girls. In reality, most of the U.K.’s 48 support services had to shut down at least one of their support channels. Abuse victim shelters are nearing full capacity, and the Coronavirus outbreak made everything worse – particularly for Asian, Black, and other minority victims.

We need to take the initiative and help people ourselves. This list will show you contacts that are still available and can help save lives today.

European Union: Most victims don’t know where to turn

As the Coronavirus Plague’s hit grew hard in Europe, cases of Domestic Violence simply skyrocketed.

Designated hotlines in Spain reported a 47% increase in women calling for help and a shocking 700% increase in online approaches from victims. Calls for help increased by 40% in Austria, and in France there’s been a 36% increase in police interventions for cases of abused women and children since the outbreak.

Being locked in with their abuser made calling for help harder than ever. Women in France and Spain had no choice, and began asking for help from pharmacists when they managed to go out to get medications. You can help make a difference by utilizing these contacts – whether you’re a victim of Domestic Abuse in the E.U. yourself or know somebody there who is being abused.

How can I tell if someone is being abused?

It’s not always clear. In many cases, you can hear the fights, pangs of violence, cries, or see a victim with bruises – while in many other cases, you won’t be close enough for that.

There are critical indications you can be aware of, however, and know when you’re talking to a person in need of help.

For example: A person who said their abuser – a spouse, family member, or other type of partner – doesn’t let them communicate with their children, family, or friends, using Coronavirus as an excuse. Another indication is a person who has no financial control over their own life and can’t spend any money without approval from their partner – not even for an office gift or a lunch. One more possible indication is a person who just won’t speak about their relationship or partner at all, mostly out of fear of repercussions.

What can I do to help?

Remember that many cases of Domestic Abuse end in murder. They also more frequently include rape, severe injuries, and unimaginable emotional scars – including (and often especially) for the children in the household. Therefore, it is your duty to help the authorities get to the victims and end their nightmare. This is how you’ll do it without risking your own life.

  1. Don’t push the victim. Sometimes it seems odd that an abused wife won’t file a complaint against her husband to end her suffering – and people will just pressure her to do so. Remember that you don’t know what the victim has gone through, and reporting the abuse might be horrifying for them. Sometimes they try to protect their abuser out of fear, or a feeling that they deserve such abuse. Therefore, they will need your help – and not a lecture about how they need to stop suffering and help themselves.
  2. Don’t be afraid to make an anonymous report. Call the police if you hear an active, ongoing incident – you might very well be saving that victim’s life.
  3. Call a support service. Every one of the services listed here are well-trained in cooperating with the police, social services, and other relevant bodies. They can give you advice regarding the specific case at hand, and contact the victim themselves without mentioning you at all.
  4. Avoid the abuser. You’re trying to help a victim by getting the right professionals on the case, not by taking the law into your own hands or getting into trouble. Don’t talk to the abuser, even if you’re well acquainted, and don’t threaten them. Leave them for the cops and legal system.
  5. Keep things confidential. While helping a person in need is grounds for praise in social media, it might also expose that case and cause new or additional hardships for the victim. Also, a person who’s fishing for praise on Facebook or Twitter might play into the hands of the abuser’s lawyers, saying your report was dishonest as you were in it only to gain likes and popularity.

These contacts can help stop the next death and save a person’s life.

National Domestic Violence Hotlines

Domestic Violence Hotlines Across the U.K.

Domestic Violence Hotlines in European Countries

Additional Global Domestic Violence Hotlines & Resources

Sources:

Meet the writer:  Michelle Cardillo

Michelle is an all-things-psychic enthusiast: from tarot readings to esoteric forms of psychic reading, she researched and tried any available reading online and live. Her hobbies include reading romantic novels and volunteering in a local cat rescue organization.

Have a story or article you would like featured on Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and/or Shasta County News Source (SCNS)? Just send us a message.

This article sponsored by:

https://thinbluelinetvuncensored.com/
https://billtyler.century21fullrealtyservices.com/?fbclid=IwAR3M-pAuvAmKHMcG95xnmL5HCoiCL9ggNGY_dgeAhkxckG6v4NOkl6qp3Tg

For more information, contact Bill Tyler at Century 21 Full Realty Service.

https://www.lenn.tv/

With breaking news articles, videos, podcasts, opinion pieces and more, Law Enforcement News Network has all the latest news and information related to law enforcement issues across the nation.

Contact the editor: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.

tagged with , , , ,