Domestic abuse doesn’t stop just because there’s a pandemic. National charity IDAS are here to help and to enable other organisations to spot and support victims.
The latest lockdown comes off the back of months of pro-longed adversity, with some people trapped with abusive partners or family members, in homes that do not feel safe.
IDAS are extremely concerned about the increased risk and the potential for long-lasting, emotional, and psychological harm on victims, survivors, and their children.
Many vulnerable victims won’t know that support is still available to them and so it is crucial that we work together to get the message out there that you can leave your home if you do not feel safe and you need to get support.
IDAS support
Their teams continue to provide an uninterrupted service, with a dedicated Live Chat on their website for professionals and partners, 10 am – 12 noon every weekday. The Live Chat and email info@idas.org.uk are the best way for them to respond to your enquiries.
The helpline is the preferred method for victims and survivors to get in touch:
North Yorkshire and Barnsley 03000 110 110
Sheffield 0808 808 2241
Ask for Ani and resources
IDAS have produced some graphics you can use to share the message on social media. Download here.
You can download posters from their website.
The Government have launched a codeword scheme to make it easier for people to ask for help at the pharmacy or supermarket. ‘Ask for Ani’ encourages people to say the codeword so that they can be taken to a private consultation room or safe place so that they then have the option to call the Police, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, or a local domestic abuse service.
We can all take action to become ‘Domestic Abuse Aware’ and prepare to respond effectively to a disclosure of domestic abuse.
IDAS have suggested five simple things that you can do to become more ‘Domestic Abuse Aware’:
- Read their simple checklist for responding to domestic abuse disclosures,
- Put up posters about the ‘Ask for Ani’ scheme or their local support service in your place of work,
- Bookmark their secure referral form so that you can easily access it to make a referral,
- Take their free, online domestic abuse awareness training,
- Attend an IDAS ‘Domestic Abuse Aware’ webinar.
