Bishops issue guidance to parishes on support for victims of domestic abuse

Source: CCN

The Domestic Abuse Group of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has today issued guidance on how Catholic parishes can support victims of domestic abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the UK-wide COVID-19 lockdown began on 23 March, there has been a 49% increase in calls and online requests for help relating to domestic abuse.

This guidance includes information about how parishes can raise awareness of the issue including a list of helplines and information about how to safely get help. It also includes a step-by-step starter guide for how parishes can work to support their local domestic abuse services with donations.

Bishop John Sherrington, who chairs the Domestic Abuse Group, said: "Every person has a right to live their life free from violence, abuse, intimidation and fear. Catholic parishes can play an important role in the fighting the scourge of domestic abuse, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where we are seeing some shocking statistics from leading domestic abuse organisations. My thanks go to those organisations and individuals already working so hard to ensure that people suffering domestic abuse can live safe lives.

"Every local situation will differ and so our new guidance is designed to be used as an introduction to start a local project. I hope that Catholics and parishes will be inspired to take this up in their local area.

"Violence of this kind should never be tolerated or justified. It is an offence against the dignity of the human person."

For more information, visit: www.cbcew.org.uk/home/our-work/health-social-care/coronavirus-guidelines/domestic-abuse/