Displaying items by tag: domestic violence

A femicide census of men’s fatal violence against women during 2019 and 2020 found that, overall, men are killing one woman every three days in the UK. Between 8% and 12% of these killings were by strangers; all other femicide was by men who were current or former partners. These killings by a person known to the woman revealed appalling police failings. The organisation Counting Dead Women reported that the number of women killed by a male in 2021 is higher than the numbers in 2019 and 2020. They say this may increase when they receive responses to their FOI requests to the police. It remains unknown what is behind the increase, but the organisation will be paying close attention to intimate partner femicides and the role of separation. Despite acres of news coverage, politicians' statements, and tweaks to the laws, the femicide figures remain unchanged.

Sarah remembers her childhood fondly. She was close to her parents, who were always loving towards her, and she never saw them fight. She pursued her studies and helped her parents care for her four siblings. Tragically, when she was 16, her father passed away. Sarah was forced to leave school and work so that her siblings could continue their education. Next she met Komakech. He won her affection and they began living together. Sarah thought he would take good care of her family. But she slowly became aware of his violent nature. Within three months he became violent, drinking and abusing Sarah physically, and emotionally. One in two Ugandan women experience spousal abuse. Rates are higher in northern Uganda. To read Sarah’s story of freedom. click the ‘More’ button.

A woman leads the fight against coronavirus in the Palestinian territories, while at the same time it has brought more violence and suffering to women. Umm Iyad travels to the northern West Bank to follow up on emergency procedures as part of the efforts to stem the outbreak of coronavirus. She has been heading the village council since 2017, and is now head of the emergency committee. She is also working on a community initiative to cultivate land and grow vegetables to achieve self-sufficiency for the villagers. However, during lockdown, statistics showed social workers across the Palestinian governorates have been dealing with increased victims of domestic violence. 40% of women have been subjected to emotional and mental abuse, and 31% to physical abuse. 60% of the victims have fled their houses, and 21% attempted suicide.

The UK’s IJM team have seen God do amazing things as people have cried out to Him in prayer. They report, ‘Covid-19 lockdowns are inadvertently creating the conditions for disturbing increases of abuse in many of the areas where we work. While our teams are doing what they can to protect survivors and find those who are being abused, we must ask God to reach those we are unable to reach, to provide safety, remove fear and bring hope. We believe God is calling for an unprecedented move of prayer. Will you join us? For the next few weeks, we will be praying specifically for those who are #UnsafeInLockdown.’ They are asking intercessors to pray every day for issues which they will spotlight each week. To take part and pray, click the ‘More’ button.

The National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown. The charity warned that the lockdown heightened domestic tensions and cut off escape routes like the school run. It is believed that domestic violence and potential homicides will escalate as social distancing restrictions continue. Many perpetrators already use isolation ‘as a tool of control’. Last year 1.6 million women in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse. Pray that the women and children currently spending concentrated time with perpetrators may receive all the support they need from social services, police and charities. Pray that friends, family and neighbours who may have suspected abuse in the past will keep in contact with the vulnerable and report suspicious situations. Recently the UN reported, ‘Over the past weeks, as economic and social pressures and fear have grown, we have seen a horrifying global surge in domestic violence’.

Three women a week are murdered by their current or ex-partner in the UK. One in five women has experienced sexual assault. There is a fashion today to reach for alternative facts when the truth is inconvenient. The truth is that violence against women still pervades society. With the emergence of social media, a vista of threatened violence has been unleashed online. Most of the harm against women has been effected in private, in the digital age cruelty is public and unashamed. Women are also bullied to frighten them away from public roles. The global White Ribbon campaign asks men not to commit violence against women. The Bishop of Tonbridge is calling on men to take a lead in ending violence towards women, and a series of events is taking place across the Diocese of Rochester to raise awareness of domestic abuse and highlight places of support for victims.

Welfare payments are turning the clock back to the 1950s and allowing abusers to control family finances, MPs say. Under Universal Credit (UC), payments are made to one person per household, often leaving abuse victims and their children dependent, a report by the Work and Pensions Committee said. One abuse survivor feared the new system could leave her and her children with ‘nothing for weeks’. UC aims to simplify the benefits and tax credits system with a single monthly payment. Claimants provide details of one bank account for payments. Although they can request split payments, Job Centres currently only offer them in ‘very exceptional circumstances’. Christian Labour MP Frank Field said men and women pay taxes as individuals, and should each have an independent income. People living with abuse can see their entire monthly income, including money meant for their children, go into their abusive partner's bank account. The system makes it harder for victims to leave an abusive relationship.

Hundreds of victims of domestic abuse are being turned away from refuges in Wales due to lack of space. As many as 500 women, children and men were turned away in 2016-17, half the time because units were full. Welsh Women's Aid said there had been a 5% funding cut in specialist services for violence against women. There are fears that the loss of a protected Welsh government grant could see more refuges close (already 34 have done so since 2010). Fleeing violence and finding refuge is not just a welsh challenge. Across the UK one-third of all referrals to refuges are turned away, according to Women’s Aid; others say two out of three women are turned away. Specialist domestic violence services for black and ethnic minority women and women with disabilities have borne the brunt of the cuts. See also

Two women are killed every week in England and Wales by a current or former partner (Office of National Statistics, 2015). One in four women in England and Wales experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, and 8% will suffer domestic violence in any given year (Crime Survey of England and Wales). Domestic violence has a higher rate of repeat victimisation than any other crime (Home Office). Every minute police in the UK receive a domestic assistance call; police say that there are greater dangers in our nations from domestic violence than terrorism. Yet it remains a hidden danger. 1.8 million adults were victims of domestic abuse last year. Much violence can be due to addictions and mental health problems. We can pray for victims to have the courage to seek help, and for the perpetrators to receive help and deal with their anger in a healthy way. Pray for children who witness or are victims of violence.

We have been told by the Police that there are greater dangers in our nations from domestic violence than terrorism. Yet it still remains such a hidden danger.

According to the Office of National Statistics 1.8 million adults between 16 to 59 said they were a victim of domestic abuse in the last year to March 2016. 1 in every 10 crimes reported are domestic violence...but that will only be the tip of the iceberg as many people do not report domestic violence.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2016

Much domestic violence can be due to drug or alcohol addictions and mental health problems.

Pray that:
1) The victims will have the courage to seek help
2) The perpetrators will get help to deal with their anger in a healthy way.
3) The children who often witness the violence or are victims of the violence themselves. They often grow up to be victims or perpetrators themselves if the pattern is not broken.

Source: Coastlands & Gateways