'Big increase' in number of domestic abuse related calls in Sunderland during lockdown

Housing association Gentoo Group, which houses 60,000 people in Sunderland, has made over 800 domestic abuse related phone calls in the five weeks after the UK was put into lockdown on Monday, March 23.

Gentoo’s specialist victim support team is currently dealing with 69 cases of domestic abuse in the city and are also conducting welfare checks and other support to tenants who have contacted the team.

The team has made 994 forms of contact with tenants and residents, including providing advice and emotional support, making daily contact with known victims and dealing with current live cases of domestic abuse.

Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo Group said: “For most of us our home is our sanctuary, but for some it’s a place of worry and danger and this has been amplified during lockdown, meaning we have sadly seen a big increase in the number of calls to our victim support team over the past five weeks.

“We are committed to acting quickly, effectively and sympathetically to anyone who is suffering from abuse.”

The association’s frontline staff, including gas engineers and plumbers, are also trained to spot the signs of abuse when in tenants homes.

Detective Superintendent Deborah Alderson, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, said: “We know that home is not a safe place for those experiencing domestic abuse, and the much-needed respite often provided by work and school may no longer be available.

“If your home is not a safe environment then we urge you to seek support, to contact police and we will do everything we can to help. Gentoo are key partners in tackling this issue across the region. We work very closely together to identify and tackle domestic abuse and to help find safe accommodation for anyone needing it.

“I want to be clear – abuse is a choice made by the abuser. To those perpetrating abuse – we will take action against you and can remove you from your home to stop you committing further harm.”

National domestic violence charity Refuge has announced a 49% increase in calls and the Men’s Advice Line who have revealed a 16% increase to its helpline.

Becky Rogerson, Director of Wearside Women in Need said: “We are worried that some people may feel trapped by the current restrictions and unable to call for help and we are relying more than ever on neighbours, friends and family members to be the eyes and ears in communities.

“Our services are open and we ask anyone in the community concerned about abuse to Ask, Listen and Act – we can all make a difference”

If you are a victim of abuse and need support, you can contact Gentoo’s victim support team online or call Wearside Women in Need’s 24/7 hotline on 0800 066 5555. If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

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