This year, amid COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to be aware of the social and personal impacts of domestic and family violence and the supports available to those affected. COVID-19 has created additional stressors on families – greater financial pressure, more time together in the home, increases in alcohol and substance use, exacerbation of mental health conditions, and the absence of usual supports from family and friends.

A recent international study (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152912/) found that reports of domestic violence during COVID-19 lockdowns have increased by 30% in France, 40-50% in Brazil, and have tripled in China. In Australia, No To Violence, a national perpetrators of family violence telephone counselling service has reported a 94% increase in phone traffic and an average 20% increase in time spent with callers during their mandated lockdown.

At Anglicare, our MHFW team has continued to provide individual face to face counselling services to perpetrators of DFV in lieu of Men’s Behaviour Change Groups. Our Specialist Family Violence Service has also added online and telephone counselling and support during this time for those unable to attend the service.

If you are interested in finding out more about the domestic and family violence at this time, check out:

• This article (link here: https://theconversation.com/how-do-we-keep-family-violence-perpetrators-in-view-during-the-covid-19-lockdown-135942) on the impact of COVID-19 to families and service providers.
• Information from Services and Practitioners for the Elimination of Abuse QLD (SPEAQ) on the response of the sector (Link: https://www.speaq.org.au/).
• ANROWS’ synthesis of news, research and resources on Women’s Safety and COVID-19 (link: https://www.anrows.org.au/news/covid-19-update/

As a community, we need to work together to check on neighbours, friends and family. Take care of each other.

If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out.

1800 RESPECT national helpline – 24/7 1800 RESPECT or 1800 737 732
Women’s Crisis Line/QLD DV Connect 1800 811 811
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
Lifeline (24 hour crisis line) 131 114
MensLine Australia 24/7 1300 789 978
Anglicare Southern Queensland
Living Without Violence
Specialised Family Violence Services 1300 114 397