By Kate Banerjee, Head of Jones Myers Children’s Department

Charities are warning that domestic abuse will have rocketed by almost 40% following England’s defeat in the penalty shootout again Italy in the Euro 2020 final.  

The National Centre for Domestic Violence has reported that domestic violence increased by 26% when England played in the championships – rising to 38% if they lost a game. Studies highlight that alcohol is the major cause for the surge.  

Every hour of every day police throughout England and Wales receive over 100 calls connected with domestic abuse. 

The Euros final has re-enforced just how urgently  action is needed and Jones Myers welcomes the Government’s pledge to do more to help victims.

Anyone experiencing violence or abuse can contact Jones Myers in the strictest confidence.

Our specialist lawyers will explain to you all the options available to help keep you safe, including applying to the court for an injunction to protect you and your children including, in some situations, orders barring abusers from the family home.

These orders are available whether you are married, divorced, are or were living together as well as in civil partnerships.

The organisations listed below provide invaluable support for those in need:

National 

National Centre for Domestic Violence https://www.ncdv.org.uk free assistance Text 60777 or tel 0800 970 2070.

The  Silent Solution Awareness Campaign #MakeYourselfHeard – Silent Solution awareness campaign | Independent Office for Police Conduct enables 999 mobile callers too scared to make a noise, or speak, to press 55 when prompted to inform police they are in a genuine emergency.

Supportline  https://supportline.co.uk  for those isolated, at risk, vulnerable and victims of any form of abuse. Helpline 01708 765200 or email info@supportine.org.uk  

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline – https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ offers help round the clock Call 0808 2000 247.

Women’s Aid https://www.womensaid.org.uk live chat 10am-6pm seven days a week

Refuge – freephone 24-Hour Helpline 0808 2000 247 or visit www.nationalhelpline.org.uk  for live chat (Monday-Friday 3pm-1pm). Guidance also provided on securing technology against hacking.

National Men’s Advice Line  – Helpline for male victims of domestic abuse – telephone and email support (Monday-Friday 9am-8pm, webchats Wednesday– Friday 10am-11am and 3pm-4pm). Call0808 801 0327.

Mankind – https://mankind.org.uk support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic and their wider circles. Call 01823 334244

Yorkshire

IDAS – https://idas.org.uk Yorkshire’s largest specialist charity for those affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. info@idas.org.uk

03000 110 110 (North Yorkshire and Barnsley), 0808 808 2241 (Sheffield), 01904 646630 (York Refuge), 01904 646636 (York Outreach)

Leeds Domestic Violence Service – https://ldvs.uk/, combines Leeds Women’s Aid, Behind Closed Doors and Women’s Health Matters. 24 hour helpline, call 0113 246 0401

Leeds Women’s Aid refuges –  https://leedswomensaid.co.uk Support services through the Community Domestic Violence Team via telephone/FaceTime.

Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service – http://www.lslcs.org.uk  Support via telephone and Zoom 6pm-2am 0808 800 1212, 0113 260 9328 or by text 07922 249452 Survivor.led@lslcs.org.uk

Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds – Remote support available by text and email 12-2pm Tuesday – Thursday 07860022880 support@sarsvl.org.uk

Together Women Project – One to one telephone support with key workers 9-5 daily

Bradford: 01274 301470, Leeds: 0113 3808900, Hull: 01482 218125, Sheffield: 0114 275 8282

Supporting Victims – https://www.supportingvictims.org/help/, North Yorkshire, call 01609 643100, 9am-5pm weekdays help@suportingvictims.org    

Call us at Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

The post Domestic abuse soars after England’s defeat: who to contact appeared first on Jones Myers.

Our partnership with IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) to host a pioneering art installation highlighting domestic abuse against women is raising awareness and boosting fundraising.

The ‘In Her Shoes’ display – featuring 100 pair of shoes to symbolically represent the 100 plus women killed every year in the UK by their current or ex-partners – has been viewed by hundreds of people across Yorkshire.Launched at York Minster, the installation has toured Northallerton, Skipton and the Jones Myers Harrogate office at Windsor House where IDAS and our team raised money with a scrumptious selection of home-made cakes. The baking went down a treat with fellow businesses and almost £250 was collected from cake sales and donations.

There are plans to further extend the exhibition, created by visual artist Mim Robson, to more regional towns and cities. The centrepiece comprises a poem by poet Hannah Davies which has been inspired by the words of domestic abuse and sexual violence survivors.

Jones Myers founder Peter Jones says: “It’s extremely positive that this powerful tribute is attracting interest and generating questions from so many people who view the display. The devastating effects of domestic abuse on victims are something we witness at first hand as a specialist family law firm and we’re delighted the exhibition will be seen by even more people.”

Rose Merritt, IDAS business development manager, adds: “The installation is timely following a recent announcement that domestic abuse offences have increased in North Yorkshire across the last year. Many people viewing it say they did not realise the disturbing scale of the issue. A ‘big’ thank you to Hannah Davies, Mim Robson and our sponsors, Jones Myers, for their ongoing support of this moving tribute.”

IDAS is the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire whose services include refuge accommodation, community-based support, peer mentoring, group work and access to a free, confidential out-of-hours helpline.

The charity has been at the forefront of developing new services such as being the first organisation in the UK to develop a free online Live Chat support for survivors. For more information on IDAS visit idas.org.uk.

For information about any aspect of family law, call Jones Myers at our Leeds office on 0113 246 0055, our Harrogate office on 01423 276104, visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce.

Pictured are Jones Myers partner, Sarah Dickinson, founder Peter Jones, and Rose Merritt (kneeling) from IDAS.

The post Powerful tribute to domestic abuse victims boosts awareness and fundraising appeared first on Jones Myers.