WITH people spending more time at home and movement restricted, there has been a significant increase in demand for family violence services, according to victims of crime commissioner, Heidi Yates.

And she wants people to know that all services are still open and ready to respond.

“Social distancing has affected how we deliver our services but we’re adapting to being a remote team across all services using technology and are just as committed as ever,” she says. 

“We know people in the Canberra region are under stress from the effects of social isolation, job losses, financial stress and this seemingly endless uncertainty. All this places many clients at greater risk of family violence.

“We’re finding more people reaching out to us, and we want people to know we are here for them via phone, text, email and video calls.”

Heidi says one of the things that worries her is that any incidences of abuse may be less visible, and others may not know what’s going on.

“There are going to be less witnesses as we’re all seeing less people,” she says. 

“We’re urging everyone in the community to keep an eye on each other, and be aware of anything unusual happening. 

“Maybe you can arrange a walk with a friend you’re concerned about but keep your distance, or perhaps someone you know needs you to contact them and check that everything is okay. Be ready to support one another and check in.” 

Heidi says the message from support services including the Domestic Violence Crisis Service, Women’s Legal Centre, Legal Aid ACT and Victim Support ACT, is there’s no wrong door, and whichever number you come through to they will be able to refer you on. 

“For example, someone might call Legal Aid because they feel their partner wouldn’t be suspicious of that, and they could claim it’s for another reason,” says Heidi. 

“We’re used to reading between the lines.”

Heidi says the crisis lines are not only for victims of abuse and that anyone who feels they might use violence will be supported, too.

“A lot of us are under a great amount of stress at the moment,” she says.

“Anyone who feels concerned that they might hurt someone they care about, we ask them to please contact the domestic violence helpline any time, day or night, for judgement-free support.

“The Tara Costigan case in 2015 indicated that there doesn’t have to be a history of violence for it to take place. 

“We take all threats seriously and encourage anyone who feels stressed to get in touch. The support is there to listen, and work through, how to make choices to keep loved ones safe.”

CEO of the Domestic Violence Crisis Service Sonia Di Mezza says the service is able to support clients remotely and while they’ve had to be creative in how they respond, the team is very much available. 

“We’re seeing from other countries that are ahead of us in this COVID-19 journey that there’s an increase in reported incidents of domestic violence,” she says. 

“People could be spending more time at home with a person using violence and there is less access to witnesses. You’re not alone. We’re an essential service and we are here to support you, so please reach out.

“We don’t know when this situation will end, and not knowing the impact this can have on us all when it’s harder to see other people and the mental health impacts of that, is a worry.”

HELP IS JUST A CALL AWAY

Victim Support ACT at the ACT Human Rights Commission, call 6205 2222 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.

Domestic Violence Crisis Service, 24/7 crisis line, 6280 0900.

Women’s Legal Centre, 6257 4377, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.

Legal Aid ACT Helpline, 1300 654314, Mon-Fri, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Line, 6247 2525, 7am-11pm, seven days a week. The Centre’s counselling, crisis appointments and advocacy appointments are now via phone. 24-hour callout service to police and forensic services is open for those wishing to report sexual assault.

1800RESPECT, 24 hours, seven days a week, for those impacted by sexual or domestic violence.