North Yorkshire domestic abuse charity sees increase in demand for live chats during coronavirus pandemic
The largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence said there had been a 30% increase in chats for March 2020 from the same month last year.
Sarah Hill, CEO of IDAS said: “We know how hard it can be to take the first step to getting support. Many people are understandably very worried that they are faced with weeks, even months of being shut in the same house as their abuser with very little opportunity for respite.
Our Live Chat service offers a discreet way to get in touch with us. Our trained workers offer practical and emotional support to anyone who may be affected and can help you to understand what you are experiencing and what your options are. We would urge anyone who is afraid of their partner or who simply has questions about whether their relationship could be abusive to get in touch.”
The charity says that is regularly gets messages from people who are trying to work out if they are experiencing domestic abuse and have questions about what abusive behaviour looks like. In addition to Live Chat, the charity is determined to keep its helplines and refuges open and is also offering support via online video calls, messaging services and emails.
The Live Chat service, which can be accessed directly from the IDAS website, was one of the first in the country to provide support to anyone affected by domestic abuse in this way. Since its launch, it has offered reassurance and support to thousands of people who might otherwise be worried about picking up the phone.
