Thousands of people experienced domestic abuse in Nottinghamshire during the pandemic as services saw an ‘unprecedented’ number of cases.
The figure comes as Nottinghamshire County Council is given £1.54m from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to support survivors.
Between April 2020 to the end of December 2020 Nottinghamshire domestic abuse services supported more than 1,900 survivors, 99 per cent of these were women.
Nottinghamshire County Council reported in 2019 that 20,464 people in Nottinghamshire experienced domestic abuse in the previous 12 months.
Councillors at the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee approved the three-year commissioning plan put forward by Nottinghamshire County Council on July 26.
Councillor Scott Carlton (Cons), Chairman of the meeting, said: “This funding will be used to improve the support available to survivors of domestic abuse, and their children to place them in safe accommodation.”
Rebecca Atchinson, Senior Public Health and Commissioning Manager, said: “The services have seen an unprecedented number of survivors accessing their support.
“They’ve also heard of some quite traumatic issues which have been happening in some people’s homes.
“We are aware that those services are challenged at the moment. They are working very hard to ensure that those services continue to meet the demand going forwards.
“I cannot assure you to say that services will be able to meet demand if it continues to rise at the rate it has been rising.”
A County Council representative said “The Council would be working with services to avoid this, working alongside domestic abuse services. Any survivor seeking support will receive the support he or she needs”.
The following organisations offer support to survivors of domestic abuse within Nottinghamshire.
To report domestic abuse to Nottinghamshire Police, please call the 101 non-emergency number or, in an emergency, always call 999.
For more information about Domestic Abuse please read our supporting survivors of domestic abuse page.
Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid provides an extensive range of services for women, young people and children.
Newark Women’s Aid provides safe accommodation, with associated support services, for women with or without children, who are living with or have experienced any form of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or economic abuse. Tel: 01636 679687
The UK’s only registered charity arranging Non-Molestation Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders & Occupation Orders
Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence and abuse.
It offers emotional support, practical advice and information on a wide range of services for further help and support.
Juno’s 24-hour domestic and sexual violence helpline offers support to women, teenage girls and children who have been affected by domestic or sexual abuse.
Tel: 0808 800 0340
Email: enquiries@junowomensaid.org.uk
Deaf and hearing-impaired women can access the Helpline by:
Text Relay/NGT: 18001 0808 800 0340 24 hours a day
Email: helpline@junowomensaid.org.uk daily, 9am – 9pm
Equation provide a free helpline for men which is available Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
A 24/7 confidential answerphone service is also available.
Call: 0115 960 5556
Email: helpline@equation.org.uk
Make a stand against violence. ‘Like’ our Alliance Against Violence Facebook page
NIDAS is a registered charity, formerly known as Mansfield and Ashfield Women’s Aid.
Its aim is to help people experiencing domestic abuse.
They work hard with other agencies to raise awareness of domestic abus
Karma Nirvana is a registered charity that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
A free to download app providing support and information to those affected by Domestic Abuse, available in 5 languages, has a unique directory of support services and links of further resources including a journal which you can record incidents.
Safeguarding people- a simple shake or tap activates Hollie guard, immediately notifying your chosen contacts, pinpointing your location and sending audio and video evidence directly to their mobile phones.
