The Fierce Truth about Covid-19 and the hidden crisis

Written by Nicolle Edwards, CEO RizeUp Australia, guest contributor.

Our world is changing daily, and for most of us, social isolation to help combat the coronavirus crisis means staying safe at home with the people we care about.

While the health of everyone is important during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are very concerned about the threat to women and children who are being isolated in the home, potentially with a violent partner or family member.

For one in four women, social isolation means being locked-up in a dangerous place with an abusive partner, with no way to escape – with children possibly in the mix.

Not only is a victim living with the threat of the pandemic, but also the potentially lethal threat of violence.

Figures show one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner, and research shows that violence against women increases during times of anxiety.

These next few months living under Covid-19 restrictions will see a heightened risk due to financial insecurity, alcohol consumption and health concerns.