Domestic abuse case recorded every 17 minutes in West Midlands in first month of March lockdown
A domestic abuse case against a woman was recorded in the West Midlands every 17 minutes during the first month of lockdown, figures show.
Police in the region recorded a total of 3,036 incidents between March 23 and April 26 according to a Freedom of Information request to the force.
It has led to concerns being raised over lockdown measures being implemented for a month on Thursday and the impact they could have on the issue.
Anawim, a women's centre based in Balsall Heath in Birmingham, has introduced a new helpline and live chat feature for women in a bid to help.
Joy Doal, CEO of the charity, said: "We have seen an increase in not only incidents of domestic abuse but also seriousness and prevalence.
"Intimate relationships which seemed healthy previously have often degenerated into tension due to the pressures of working from home and dealing with the effects of the pandemic on finances.
"We are hence seeing a different woman contact us who are not our usual client, for example women in employment.
"We have responded to this emerging situation by opening our new helpline and chat function and increasing our frontline workers."
Lockdown in March led to an increase in the number of women accessing services experiencing domestic abuse – with limited resources causing some women to be put on a waiting list.
It has led to the charity urging people to donate so it can help women in need with fundraising becoming "increasingly difficult" due to events suspended as a result of the pandemic.
People can donate by visiting Anawim's website at www.anawim.co.uk – with people asked to use code NEWS1 if possible. Any donation – however large or small – is welcome, chiefs have said.
Women in need have been urged to call Anawim's free, confidential helpline on 0800 019 8818, or visit their website to access the live chat.
