MP Jess Phillips: Everyone needs to make domestic abuse their business

But for victims of domestic abuse, staying at home with the person they are most frightened of could have the opposite effect. It could cost them their own life. 

Jess Phillips MP, Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, says it has never been more important for people to “make domestic abuse their business” because victims have “never been more at risk”. 

The MP has spoken out about the ‘domestic abuse epidemic’ as she prepares to take part in a #DMUWomen event tomorrow to discuss how we can all help break the silence on domestic violence. 

She said: “Domestic abuse during Covid-19 has become an epidemic during a pandemic. We have a sector on its knees because of the pandemic and the strain it has put on the services available to women who are suffering.” 

In April 2020, during the first lockdown, it was reported that the National Domestic Abuse helpline had seen a 25% in calls. On a single day that month, calls to the helpline were up by 120%. 

“The sector was already in crisis, even before the pandemic we know that 60% of victims were being turned away by refuge service because there simply wasn’t enough resource,” Jess says. 

“That is why it is so important for everyone to make domestic abuse their business. We all need to get comfortable with asking questions. Ask your friends, family and colleagues, ‘is everything ok at home?’ Educate yourself about what a healthy relationship is and should look and sound like. 

“You can also seek out your local refuges and support wherever you can. Most Women’s Aid services are locally funded, so ask them what they may need help with. I’d encourage anyone wanting to make a difference to get in touch with local domestic abuse charities.” 

Jess, who spent years working for Women’s Aid, has dedicated her career to lobbying the government to provide better support and provision for victims and survivors. 

“I have worked with thousands of women over the years. I have met women who have outright told me that without the support we provided, they would be dead. And their children would be dead.  

“So I know what difference support services and charities can make.” 

In her role as Shadow Minister, Jess has played a vital part in ensuring the Domestic Abuse Bill, which was finally passed through the House of Commons last year and is now in the House of Lords, outlines a statutory duty on local authorities to provide accommodation for those who need to escape abuse. 

“I never thought I would win that battle,” she said. “I wanted to do cartwheels outside the Houses of Parliament when I got that news! 

“Your local council has to provide bins and they have to provide adult and children’s social care. Up until that Bill was passed through the House of Commons, those were the only two statutory duties local councils had. All I wanted was for women to matter as much as bins.  

“It was a very proud moment.” 

But there is still a long way to go and long-term funding is needed for other services, says Jess.  

“We are slowly but surely winning the battle and it is a step in the right direction that local authorities have to provide refuge for women victims. The harder battle is getting government funding for community support services.” 

In January, the government announced that victims of domestic abuse will be able to access support from pharmacies across the UK through its ‘Ask for ANI scheme’. By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services. 

“I totally support any innovation that enables people to come forward but we have to make sure that the correct support provision is in place for victims when they do access services like Ask for ANI,” said Jess.  

“The government is yet to commit to funding a statutory community service, yet 70% of domestic abuse victims receive their support in the community, they are not in refuges. Putting funding into community support services is crucial.” 

Despite the ongoing challenges, Jess remains positive that things are moving in the right direction and credits the global pandemic for shining a light on domestic abuse. 

“Nobody would choose to live through a pandemic, especially not domestic abuse victims, but I believe it is going to demand a new social charter about the way we must be better prepared,” she said. “It’s highlighted that we simply cannot afford to run services into the ground because you never know when you will need to lean on them. 

“I think the pandemic has really helped the public to understand what it would be like to be a victim of domestic abuse too. We all now have a better understanding of what isolation feels like, what it means to be locked in our homes and how scary it can be to have nowhere else to turn.” 

Jess Phillips MP, Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, will be taking part in a #DMUWomen event on Thursday 4 February alongside Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, discussing how to break the silence on domestic violence, what the current challenges are and hopes for the future. The event is open to all.