Victims of domestic abuse in Milton Keynes have somewhere to turn to if they feel trapped at home with their abuser during the coronavirus lockdown.
Milton Keynes Council pays for services from MK Act and, managed by the city’s Women’s Aid group, they have a crisis service helpline where people can turn to for help.
Cllr Hannah O’Neill (Lab, Woughton & Fishermead) is the council’s elected head of health and wellbeing.
She said: “Domestic abuse impacts thousands of lives across the country, every day.
“For victims of domestic abuse, the coronavirus pandemic can be an especially frightening time. They may be very worried about self-isolating with someone who is harming them.”
She added: “I would urge anyone who is in an abusive situation at home to contact the MK Act Crisis Service Helpline on 0344 375 4307.
“Outside of normal working hours, the National Domestic Violence Helpline is open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247.”
Cllr O’Neill called on family, friends and neighbours with any concerns about a loved one to stay in regular contact with them.
In October 2018 the council completed a needs assessment of domestic violence in Milton Keynes, when they estimated that around 12,300 people will have experienced domestic abuse in the past year.
The charity MK Act works with more than 100 families every day to help them move on from fear and abuse.
The Home Office defines domestic violence and abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.
