‘Women’s Refuge’ searches spiked during the first UK national lockdown

With lockdown meaning victims of abuse spent more time with their abuser, Google trends saw a daily rise of ‘Women’s refuge’ searches.

Throughout the first national lockdown, a staggering number of women in the UK experienced heightened abuse.

According to Women’s Aid, 70% of those confined to the hands of their abusers stated that their abuser now has more control over them due to effects of COVID19 which left them in a vulnerable position.

Figures show that the greatest rise in domestic abuse was when coronavirus cases in the UK started to fall.

Google trends report that online searches for ‘Women’s refuge’ increased throughout the lockdowns, with the most populated searches being in April and May of 2020.

Rachael Cox, from Bury St Edmunds Women’s Aid Centre, said the need for safe spaces has increased. More women are living with perpetrators and risking their lives.

Refuge UK also reported a 957% increase of online searches in the first national lockdown.

Domestic abuse has been on the rise in recent years; however, the number of online searches compared to April and May of 2019 is significantly higher. “This data shows the potential rise in third party searches. On occasion, we receive helpline calls from concerned relatives and friends who we can give advice to, which can then be passed onto the victim,” Rachael said.

Throughout lockdown, Women’s Aid reported that 60% of survivors experiencing abuse felt that COVID19 made it difficult to access specialist services like Refuge. This data shows that despite a highly populated search of ‘Women’s Refuge’ many were still unable to find help due to the circumstances that lockdown imposed.

“Spaces at refuges are limited due to the need for COVID19 tests and the requirement to quarantine, meaning that many do not have a safe space to isolate.

“Most shelters are shared accommodation therefore, they are now running at a lower capacity; not everybody can be accommodated for,” Rachael said.

The government increased funding for domestic abuse charities by £76m amid concerns that the lockdown would lead to more cases of abuse.