Domestic abuse survivors tell Covid inquiry of ‘nightmare’ lockdown

The Covid-19 inquiry was reminded of the “nightmare” that victims of domestic abuse endured during lockdown as it prepares to wrap for its Christmas break.

The human impact of the pandemic was once again placed centre stage as the inquiry’s second module, which has focussed on Whitehall decision-making in the early days of the crisis, draws to a close.

Liz Davies KC, representing Solace Women’s Aid and Southall Black Sisters, how some women had been left trapped in a “double prison of lockdown and of domestic abuse” after the first national stay-at-home orders were issued in March 2020.

Reading from the statement of a witness, she said: “I was always inside the house, he never let me go to the park for a walk.

“He did leave the house to go for a walk, I was 24/7 inside the house, confined to my room. Even using the washroom and kitchen was a task for me.

“I took one of my kids in the kitchen so I could cook in peace, pausing because otherwise she would have been abused while cooking.

“I didn't have a choice for the whole of Covid, I was only confined to my room, I became mute. I was so depressed and I didn't feel like talking. There were constant fights because of him being around all the time, it made me so anxious I was living in a nightmare without end.”

There are few reliable figures on the scale of domestic abuse during the pandemic, but police records indicate domestic abuse-related crimes rose during the period.

Domestic violence charities also saw increased demand, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS said this may reflect “an increase in the severity of abuse being experienced, and a lack of available coping mechanisms due to government restrictions”.

I told him how scared I was, he didn't care, he just saw me as an object

The government faced criticism for its lack of provision for potential victims during the pandemic, particularly during lockdowns, when they were at their most vulnerable.

Lockdown rules gave specific exemptions for leaving home, but these did not initially include the risk of injury or harm.

In her closing submission, Davies referenced allegations of “misogyny at the heart of government”.

The absence of female voices at the heart of government has already been raised at the inquiry, as well as a toxic working environment.

“Abuse increased partly because of the physical restriction of lockdown, but also because abusers turned their fear of the virus against women,” Davies said.

Describing the experiences of another victim, the KC said: “When the Covid-19 pandemic began, her perpetrator insisted on her isolating in her room for a week after being outside of the house for mere minutes.”

Reading from the victim's witness statement, Davies continued: “Later, he assaulted me to get me out of the kitchen because he didn't want me to be around the food that he just cooked.

“I told him how scared I was, he didn't care, he just saw me as an object.”

Analysis by openDemocracy in 2021 found victims of domestic abuse faced a postcode lottery, with only half of the nation’s police forces having training programmes in place to teach officers how to deal with such abuse.

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