FOR most of us being forced to stay at home is an inconvenience, but in reality, there is nowhere else we would rather be.

It is a happy place and one where everyone deserves to feel safe.

But that is not the case for domestic abuse victims, for whom lockdown can mean a whole range of horrendous problems they cannot escape from.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has vowed that perpetrators will not get away with it, that the National Domestic Abuse Hotline would continue to operate and anyone who is at risk is safe to leave their homes and seek refuge.

Alpha Vesta CIC has launched a six-month pilot project called Bridging The Gap which aims to give people across Essex the tools to spot domestic abuse red flags through the workplace.

It’s founding director Lucy Whittaker believes lockdown measures will cause problems.

“Perpetrators of domestic abuse like to be in control and there’s nothing that is going to threaten their sense of control more than the situation we are experiencing,” she said.

“Think of all the things that perpetrators of abuse don’t currently have control of such as the future of their job, their income, where they work, where they go, anxiety around catching Covid-19, how they socialise, who they are allowed to see, what they buy.

“Consider also the added tension of working from home, self isolation, social distancing and children at home all day rather than at school.

“The combination is toxic and once we throw in additional factors such as poor mental health, alcohol, drugs and money worries, we are heading for a frightening mix.

“Those of us who work within the sector also have concerns over victims that have contact arrangement orders with their ex-partners for their children and how these can be met and adhered to safely in the current crisis.

“Often child contact handovers are facilitated in a public place where there are lots of people and the current climate means this is going to be difficult to achieve safely.”

She added: “The risks around intervening in domestic abuse creates huge challenges to everyone.

“Domestic abuse doesn’t just affect the victim, it affects their children and their whole family and support network who may desperately be trying to get the victim to distance from the perpetrator already.

“Now they may face the added concern of a 14 day period of not being able to see them or a potential lockdown of all social contact outside the home.

“Domestic violence cases have tripled during the epidemic in China and there has also been a dramatic increase in Italy.

“What both Italy and China have shown though are examples of innovative practices using technology and online resources and chats and thereby setting up networks to help those needing support.

“Online guides for a safety plan, live streamed workshops, awareness posters encouraging people to be vigilant, creating awareness through online hashtags such as #AntiDomesticViolenceDuringEpidemic and support sessions using online communications such as Skype and Facetime are being used to stay in valuable contact with victims.”

Key pieces of advice for people you are concerned about include:

n listening to their fears without judgement, encouraging all parties to reduce their drug and alcohol consumption and develop a codeword system they can use if they need to say they are unsafe

n always assume perpetrators are reading messages and listening to calls but try to stay in contact through any means you can.

n if you are concerned that someone might be in immediate danger then call 999 and if you cannot immediately talk dial 55 to be put through to the relevant police force.

n For people who aren’t at imminent risk of harm but you are concerned about them and their family, contact either the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or Essex COMPASS Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0300 333 7 444.

Both are open around the clock.

For government advice visit gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-and-domestic-abuse.