Nick Gazzard: 'Help is available' as domestic violence likely to rise over Christmas period
The founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust is urging people to seek help
People in the South West are being reminded there is help for them if they’re experiencing domestic abuse during the Christmas period.
As we were all told to stay at home in March due to the coronavirus outbreak to keep us safe, for some it was the scariest place to be if they were living with their abuser.
This year, reports of domestic violence has increased exponentially and has brought the issue to the forefront of our lives.
According to the Office for National Statistics, between March and June this year 259,324 offences were recorded to police force's across England and Wales which were flagged as domestic-abuse related.
Domestic abuse incidents tend to rise around this time of year but after the strain that the coronavirus pandemic has put on many people across the region, it's feared figures could be higher than previous years.
Nick Gazzard, who's daughter Hollie was killed by her boyfriend in 2014 - and founder of domestic abuse charity the Hollie Gazzard Trust, says there can be many reasons for the increase:
"A lot of people are spending more time together, there's a lot more financial abuse around this period of time because finances are stretched and more alcohol may be consumed which is another indicator for extenuating abuse."
There are ways to spot signs of domestic abuse though. Identifying changes in the pattern of someone's behaviour can be a big clue.
"Perhaps someone is trying to hide things or perhaps they aren't as sociable, although that is harder to sport in the Covid-19 environment."
The reality of domestic violence is that it happens all year round and not just at Christmas - but it's this time of year that can make it worse.
But there is help out there, with a wealth of helplines available, as well as support from trusted family members or friends.
The Hollie Gazzard Trust also runs the Hollie Guard App. Launched in 2015 following the murder of Hollie, the app is free to download and sends a video and a message to emergency contacts when it's activated by the user.
It adds an extra layer of protection for anyone using it when they're walking home or travelling to work on their own.
With one shake off the phone the screen turns red and makes it clear to anyone in the surrounding area that an alert has been raised. It then captures your GPS location and then begins recording a video.
A second shake of the phone will activate a high-pitched alarm and a flashing light to attract help.
"We would really encourage people to download Hollie Guard as it's saved many many lives and made people feel a lot safer in their own home and when they're going out.
"With funding from the Home Office, we've secured funding to provide people with Hollie Guard Extra which is a 24 hour monitored service.
"It's run by a professional security company and if they feel you're in danger from one of the alerts, they will notify police immediately."
"Support will be there as the pandemic continues"
Despite the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine across the South West and the rest of the UK, the pandemic still shows no sign of slowing; winter pressures combined with a new, more transmittable variant of the virus means it could still be months until we reach a new normality.
This will certainly continue to have a negative impact on the number of incidents of domestic abuse, but Nick says plans are in place to help those who're suffering as we enter 2021.
"Next year we'll see the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Bill and with that comes along more Government funding which will allow us to provide even more Hollie Guard Extra vouchers to people who are most at risk.
"Charities will also continue to support those who are suffering as the pandemic continue. So much has been achieved this year which will carry on into 2021."
If you need help, or know someone who is being domestically abused, here is a list of charities and helplines:
If you're in immediate danger, call 999 - if prompted press 55 to Make Yourself Heard and this will transfer your call to the police.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or visit https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Victim Support: 0808 16 89 111 or Live Chat
The Hollie Gazzard Trust: For information and advice on domestic abuse visit https://holliegazzard.org/
Hollie Guard App: Download from the iOS store of Google Play store, or for more information visit https://hollieguard.com/
Men's Advice Line: A confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse. Call 0808 801 0327, email info@mensadviceline.org.uk or visit https://mensadviceline.org.uk/
Galop: A national LGBTQ+ domestic abuse helpline and webchat service. Call 0800 999 5428, email help@galop.org.uk or visit http://www.galop.org.uk/