DOMESTIC violence charities in Lancashire are warning of the risk posed to people who may be forced to self-isolate with potentially abusive partners.

The Coronavirus lockdown has forced charities across the country to dramatically change their strategies in order to continue supporting victims whilst abiding by social distancing regulations.

In response Victim Support Lancashire has set up a dedicated hotline to help address worries and provide advice as well as publishing more detailed guidance of their website.

Manager Claire Powell said: "We know that this is a very difficult time for victims of domestic abuse. Self-isolation potentially increases the risk of domestic abuse taking place and victims may find it harder to access support if they are spending more time with the perpetrator.

"However, we want people to know that help and support is available and that we are still working and available at this time.

“Firstly, anyone who is in immediate danger should call 999 straight away. If you can’t speak then cough and tap 55 on the keypad and follow the instructions from there.”

The charity has a team of over 60 trained staff to help support victims of domestic abuse and advice provided on the website includes guidance on how to avoid immediate physical danger, how to keep children safe and other useful contact details.

This comes as the National Centre for Domestic Violence has moved to address the challenges to their work that the pandemic has caused.

Chief Executive Mark Groves said: “We are witnessing the acute distress of victims unable to leave the same flat or house where they’re suffering from abuse.

“Previously, they or their partner might have moved out or have been ordered to leave by a Court.

Now that option is often closed. Couples are being forced to stay together due to lack of money, limited spaces in refuges and public restrictions on movement.”

In response the centre is providing new sets of advice and support to help victims set up court protected safe zones in their own homes.

According to the centre court restrictions including Non-Molestation Orders can still be used within the home to protect victims by declaring certain areas of the home to be out of bounds to abusive partners, with breaches of these orders punishable by up to five years in prison.

The centre has also successfully lobbied for the courts to issue orders to domestic abusers electronically, thus helping victims to set up safe zones despite the ongoing lockdown situation preventing them from leaving home.

Mr Groves said: “We need to put the existing law to work in a proactive way.”

“The only sensible option for some victims will be to set up an official safe zone within their own home via a Non-Molestation Order where it would become a criminal offence for their partner to enter.

“We have helped victims to do this in the past.”

Meanwhile Lancashire Victims Service are playing their part with a new digital support space that will be available from next week.

Until then, anyone concerned about domestic violence can visit lancashirevictimservices.org or phone 0300 232 0085.