Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

Priti Patel’s domestic abuse campaign is better than nothing, but there’s a lot missing

In the past few minutes, Priti Patel has launched a public awareness campaign called #YouAreNotAlone on domestic abuse in the lockdown, along with an extra £2 million for domestic abuse helplines and online support. Charities helping domestic abuse victims say the number of calls to their hotlines has risen by around 25 per cent – 120 per cent in 24 hours in the case of the National Domestic Abuse Hotline – and their website traffic has soared even more since the public was told to stay at home. Police forces are also reporting an increase in calls about domestic violence.

The Home Secretary, who has been rather low profile so far during this pandemic, told the Downing Street press conference:

Coronavirus has opened Britain’s enormous heart and shown our love and compassion for one another as we come together to help those most in need.

Isabel Hardman
Written by
Isabel Hardman
Isabel Hardman is assistant editor of The Spectator and author of Why We Get the Wrong Politicians. She also presents Radio 4’s Week in Westminster.

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