Scotland Covid Inquiry: Lockdown was 'favourable' situation for domestic abusers

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has heard that Women and children experienced an “intensification” of domestic abuse during the pandemic.

The ongoing Scottish COVID-19 inquiry has shed light on the harrowing consequences of lockdown measures, which inadvertently created a situation "favorable" to abusers while leaving fewer opportunities for victims to seek support or escape from their tormentors.

A group known as Scottish Women’s Rights Organisations, representing five charitable bodies, presented compelling evidence to the inquiry on Thursday.

Marsha Scott, the chief executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, and Catherine Murphy, the executive director of Engender, spoke on behalf of their organizations, alongside Close the Gap, Just Right Scotland, and Rape Crisis Scotland.

Dr. Scott emphasized the stark reality faced by women and children during the pandemic, noting that they experienced an escalation of domestic abuse and gender-based violence.

She reiterated that domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior designed to instill fear and control, used by abusers to maintain power over their victims.

Furthermore, the inquiry revealed a "perfect storm" in terms of housing for domestic abuse victims seeking refuge, with emergency accommodation becoming scarce for "enormous swathes of time" during the pandemic.

This alarming situation underscored the urgent need for comprehensive measures to support and protect victims of domestic abuse in times of crisis. The evidence presented highlights the critical importance of addressing these issues to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.