We are not ‘all in this together’ until the government steps up to protect domestic abuse victims

Some of the most at-risk people in our society are being placed in a potentially deadly situation and we must do more to support them, and offer alternative safe accommodation

“Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.”

When your home isn’t a safe place to be, that vital public health message must seem like an incredibly difficult one to hear.

People who are subject to abuse need to hear another, equally vital message from charities and local authorities: “We will provide a safe space for you if you need to leave your home”, because for many women who have been victims or are at risk of domestic abuse, staying at home is not an option.

There have been clear warnings from countries that went into lockdown before Britain that a rise in domestic abuse can quickly follow. Now figures recently released by the Met showed domestic abuse calls have risen by around a third in the last six weeks, while at the same time the National Domestic Abuse Helpline has seen a 25 per cent increase.

These are figures that should make the whole country sit up and act. Some of the most at-risk people in our society are being placed in a potentially deadly situation and we must do more to support them and offer alternative safe accommodation.

One of the first priorities for both of us in our roles was meeting with representatives from services that tackle violence against women and girls. Many of these representatives are women who have put themselves in harm’s way throughout their working lives to stand up for people facing abuse – and this is even more true in the middle of this current crisis.

The message they gave us was absolutely clear: not only does the coronavirus crisis seem to be pushing up the rate of domestic abuse, it is also putting extraordinary pressure on the services that people turn to for help.

Refuges face a massive challenge in being able to keep their door open while sticking to the necessary social distancing rule. For instance, how do you provide one-to-one support or shared accommodation for people in this crisis?

At the same time there are drop-offs in fundraising, as people who donate understandably tighten their belts.

As a society, we are asking people to stay at home, so it is only right that the country is there to support those people who are potentially put at direct risk by those measures. And we must deliver support so that all those who are not safe at home know they have somewhere else to turn.

In the Labour Party, we are determined to try and work closely with the government on delivering this support and I have been calling for a specific funding package and other practical measures for weeks, but this still is yet to be done.

As a result, when the government bring the Domestic Abuse Bill to parliament on Tuesday 28 April, we will set out plans to try to introduce a law to make sure the government set up an emergency fund to support domestic abuse victims through this crisis.

The plan would be based on three key principles.

Firstly, that 10 per cent of the £750m charity support announced by the government would be ringfenced for domestic abuse charities. We know this means that other charities doing vital work would be bidding for even less money, which is exactly why Labour is saying that the overall offer to charities of £750m is inadequate.

Secondly, this investment would be fast-tracked to the frontline before charities have to close their doors due to waiting lists being too long or running out of money pay their staff. This investment is needed to keep people safe today: services simply cannot afford to wait.

Thirdly, part of this support is specifically set aside to support specialist projects: Bame women’s organisations, to address culturally specific needs; men who are at risk of or suffering from domestic abuse; and LGBT+ services.

By taking these steps, the government can help to show that we really are in this crisis together.

This is not just a matter for the police. All of us need to come together to tackle domestic abuse and the government must take the lead by saving services for people who are at greater risk as a result of the lockdown.

Indeed, to anyone concerned about their immediate safety, we want to give that same message – you are not alone. We have spoken to many police officers in recent weeks and all of them assured us that tackling domestic abuse remains right at the top of their priority list.

You can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline​ on 0808 200 0247 and in an emergency call 999.

Jess Phillips is Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding. Nick Thomas-Symonds is Welsh Labour MP for Torfaen and shadow home secretary