Moray Women's Aid team get lockdown cash help
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MORAY Women’s Aid has been granted welcome extra funding to help victims of domestic violence amid an expected spike in such abuse exacerbated by lockdown isolation.
Moray Women's Aid (MWA) says women and children living with abusive partners face a higher risk at this time as isolation is a tool of control used by many perpetrators on their victims.
Although it hasn't yet seen a rise in referrals, the service expects to be busier than ever once the restrictions are lifted.
The Moray team, based at Elgin's Marleon House, announced this week they had successfully secured a £239,706 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to develop a community outreach and therapeutic service.
The substantial award will allow MWA to take on another two workers for three-year terms, focused on providing community-based support for women across Moray experiencing domestic abuse.
Melanie Wood, business development and funding manager at MWA, said: "The workers will provide person-centred, holistic support through one-to-one support sessions, peer group support sessions and personal counselling with the overall aim to promote visible recovery from the trauma they have experienced which will enhance resilience, build their confidence and increase their self-esteem.
"This will support women to move forward in their lives."
As well as this award, the National Lottery has granted an additional £10,000 to enable the team to provide an extra 40 hours a week of helpline support for the next 16 weeks during the COVID-19 crisis.
And a Forres Rotary donation of £500 will enable the team to buy mobile phones so staff can answer the helpline outside office hours.
Melanie added: "Whilst we haven’t yet seen a spike in referrals, we know that for women and children experiencing domestic abuse home is not a place of safety.
"Moray Women’s Aid supported close to 600 women last year.
"Self-isolation and the current restrictions in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 has the potential to aggravate pre-existing abusive behaviours by perpetrators. During this period women and children are likely to be spending concentrated periods of time with perpetrators, potentially escalating the threat of domestic abuse and further restricting their freedom.
"Domestic abuse isn’t always physical; it’s a pattern of controlling, threatening and coercive behaviour, which can also be emotional, economic, psychological or sexual. Abuse is a choice a perpetrator makes – and isolation is already used by many perpetrators as a tool of control.
"With restrictions in place it is certainly more challenging for women suffering abuse to reach out for support. Lines of communication could be severely limited if women are unable to leave the home."
Melanie added: "We expect a spike in referrals to happen once restrictions are relaxed or lifted as women will have an increased opportunity call us.
"This money means that we will be there to answer those calls when a woman can make them."
North East Division Detective Chief Inspector Alan Armitt, from the Public Protection Unit, said tackling domestic abuse remained a priority.
He added: "We are conscious that the current restrictions in place may lead to an increase in domestic abuse and we want victims to know that although they may feel isolated at the moment, they are certainly not alone.
"The message to stay at home not does mean you should not seek support and it is more important than ever that you reach out for help, whether it’s for yourself or someone you know."
The Moray Women's Aid helpline – 01343 548549 – is now manned Monday to Friday from 9am to 11pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 11pm. Contact the service by email at admin@mwaelgin.co.uk during office hours.
