For most of Europe, the easing of coronavirus lockdowns in the coming weeks will bring relief and a sense that the worst is over. For the social workers tracking domestic abuse, it’s likely to uncover more terrible news.
Many women trapped with violent partners have been unable to leave home to seek help and in some cases the abusers have destroyed their mobile phones, according to Fiona Dwyer, the chief executive of Solace Women’s Aid, London’s largest provider of domestic-abuse support services.
That’s left them with no way of contacting police or calling victim-support hotlines and means large numbers of women are expected to reach out as confinement measures are eased.