Women Are Using This Code Word At Pharmacies To Report Domestic Abuse During Lockdown

From ELLE

For several weeks, men and women around the world have been instructed to stay indoors during self-isolation, to slow down the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, while the four walls of a home might provide solace and safety for some individuals, it can be a place of trauma, abuse and violence for others.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in three women around the world experience physical or sexual violence, most often from an intimate partner. ‘This makes it the most widespread, but among the least reported human rights abuses,’ the organisation states.

Across the world, reports continue to suggest that domestic abuse is increasing in number and frequency as the virus spreads.

Wan Fei, the founder of an anti-domestic violence not-for-profit, recently told Sixth Tone that local police stations in China have seen a threefold increase in cases reported in February compared with the previous year. A hashtag that translates to #AntiDomesticViolenceDuringEpidemic has gone viral since the country began its lockdown in January. Meanwhile, the CEO of a domestic violence hotline in Oregon, US has told TIME that it had received double the amount of calls last week.

But the surge in reported abuse cases is not going unnoticed by governments, police forces and charities.

Last week, local authorities in Spain and the Canary Islands set up an initiative, encouraging domestic abuse victims to visit pharmacies to inform someone of the abuse. If they are unable to explicitly inform staff about their abuse, they are advised to use the code word ‘mask 19’ to do so.

The scheme is similar to the Metropolitan Police Service’s #AskforAngela initiative in venues across London to help prevent sexual violence.

Posters in venues, more often than not placed in toilets, inform customers that they can ‘Ask For Angela’ to a member of staff which will work as a discreet code word instructing employees that they feel unsafe or threatened. The staff will subsequently help the victim out of their situation.

French newspaper Le Parisien reports that last week, a woman walked into a pharmacy in Nancy, France last weekend and subtly informed a pharmacist that her partner had abused her and threatened her with a knife. The partner was subsequently arrested by police.

Charities, meanwhile, are acknowledging the difficulty some victims might find in reporting their abuse, especially now that they might be stuck in close confines with a partner for longer periods of time than usual due to self-isolation.

‘We know that ordinarily the window of opportunity for women with abusive partners to make a call and seek help is often very limited,’ says Sandra Horley, Refuge's chief executive. ‘Now, it is likely that window has become even smaller.'

As a result, Refuge and Women’s Aid are advising women to use their 'Silent Solutions' emergency call systems, which allows people to reach the police using touch phone without the need to speak.

The UK government also instructs individuals to contact the Victim Supportline which operates a 24/7 service offering emotional and practical support for anyone who needs support and information.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct advises anyone who feels afraid of being overheard when dialing ‘999’ to listen to the questions from the phone operator, respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can and press ‘55’.

According to Beverley Hughes, Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor for policing and crime, there has been a clear rise in domestic abuse incidents directly related to the coronavirus outbreak in the UK and authorities are preparing for serious incidents.

‘The potential for tension to arise in the home as a result of what we are asking people to cope with, in order to suppress the virus, is going to increase and therefore we would be right to think this might display itself in an increase in the number of domestic incidents we are called to,’ she explained.

The Guardian reports that Avon and Somerset police reported a 20.9 per cent increase in domestic abuse incidents in the last two weeks, while police Cumbria have asked postal workers and delivery drivers to keep an eye out for signs of abuse.

On Monday, French minister for gender equality Marlene Schiappa announced that the French government would pay for up to 20,000 hotel nights for victims of domestic violence and open pop-up counselling centres. She said about 20 centres would open in stores around the country so women could drop in for help while getting groceries.

The government also announced an extra one million euro for anti-domestic abuse organisations to help them respond to increased demand for services during the pandemic.

Reports of domestic abuse to police had increased by 36 per cent in Paris and 32 per cent elsewhere in France after the nationwide lockdown came into force on March 17, according to officials.

‘My biggest concern is to multiply the points of contact with women. As it’s difficult for women to get out, we want to make sure that support systems can go to women,’ Schiappa told Le Parisien last weekend.

To find support and information, contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 and the Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors, on 0808 801 0327.

Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

In need of more inspiration and thoughtful journalism? Subscribe to ELLE's print magazine now and pay just £6 for 6 issues. SUBSCRIBE HERE

You Might Also Like

• Pyjamas You Can Wear All Day

• 10 Hand Soaps To Make Your Bathroom Feel Like A Fancy Hotel

• 8 Of The Best Natural Deodorants