Some children and adults could be facing increased risks as we all asked to stay at home due to COVID-19. We are here to help you. It is important you know you’re not alone. We are working together to offer you support.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 999.
Increased risks
Social distancing and self-isolation could be used as a tool of coercive and controlling behaviour by people with abusing behaviours, and will shut down routes to safety and support.
Adults over 70 and those requiring shielding may be at increased risk of the following:
- Loneliness resulting in depression
- Exploitation by others, strangers or unscrupulous neighbours who may take advantage of people financially or use scams to carry out unnecessary or fictitious work
- Carers, paid or unpaid, who may put them under duress and refuse to follow government instructions.
Advice and support
- Council’s Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service
- GOV.UK – domestic abuse: how to get help
- Open the Door: encourages people to start a conversation about domestic abuse and bring it out from behind closed doors. Posters are currently being displayed in supermarkets, retail outlets and petrol stations to direct people with domestic abuse concerns to local and national support.
- Be safe and get help with domestic abuse
- Live Well Cheshire West
- SafeLives: the website has lots of information for you to think about and advice to keep you safe during isolation, including self-care, safety planning, useful guides, websites, line chats and survivor forums. Child contact arrangements, welfare benefits and financial abuse, other languages and disability.
- Women’s Aid: the website gives lots of information about Silent Solution system, support services, child contact, welfare benefits, financial abuse, immigration.
- Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS): provides advice for families on effective co-parenting and child arrangements as the situation around COVID-19 develops.