A domestic abuse charity is reassuring victims that they have not been forgotten during the pandemic.

Victim Support Isle of Man is concerned for people who may be subject to abuse behind closed doors while measures to prevent coronavirus have led to people self-isolating and social distancing.

Despite face-to-face talks with professionals not being an option due to coronavirus, the Manx charity is telling victims that they can still receive support and guidance via phone calls or by ringing the police.

Manager Paula Gelling said: ’Abusers may be using separation and isolation as a tool to manipulate the other party.

’If someone is in an abusive relationship, they cannot go out. It’s really going to compound the problems. That’s where there are worries and concerns.

’We don’t want people to think that they can’t report abuse when they can. The police will respond normally to reports.

’The message is that we have not forgotten about you and we are here to help.’

The charity, she said, is not seeing an increase in calls.

This may be due to limited access to make reports as abusers may be watching their victims at all times.

’Victims are very skilled at surviving. They don’t want to do anything that may poke "the tiger",’ she added. ’What we will find in future is that we’re going to be inundated with calls.’

Victim Support is issuing information through its social media pages and elsewhere to equip victims to keep themselves and their family safe.

Advice the charity is urging victims to think about, includes:

â?¢ FaceTime or call someone you trust and talk to them about what you are experiencing and what your concerns are. Have a code word to let the trusted person know it is not safe to talk or to call the police.

â?¢ Set up check-in calls with someone you trust at certain times in the week.

â?¢ As much as possible, stick to usual routines. Maintaining basic self-care like eating, showering, sleeping and exercising to help your mental health.

â?¢ Take breaks when you can. Walk outside, read a magazine or get the kids involved in an online exercise class.

â?¢ Do you have a personalised safety plan? Think about what needs updating or changing because of what is happening now.

Can an independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA/IDAA) or specialist domestic abuse worker help you do this? If you can’t see or speak to them are there other professionals you trust and can talk to?

â?¢ Do you have a supportive employer? Can you talk to them about what is happening?

Patterns of abuse

â?¢ Download phone apps such as The Brightsky app, which will help you find services, and the Hollie Gazzard app, which turns your smartphone into a personal safety device.

â?¢ What is the usual pattern of abuse? E.g. is it worse when the kids are around or not around? This might help you think about times when things might be calmer.

Will the person who is harming you be out of work or working from home? Will your family income be affected? How could this affect things?

Does the person harming you use drugs and/or alcohol? How could their use change and what could this mean?

Do you know how they might respond to self-isolation? Think about whether this might increase the sexual violence/ coercive control/physical abuse.

â?¢ What are your main concerns and worries? These are the things you need to share with your specialist domestic abuse worker, trusted professional and if you need to ring the police on 999 for help.

â?¢ Check if there is software on your IT, such as listening devices and cameras in the home. How will this change the way you might get help?

â?¢ Do you know what your options are if you want to leave or what your options are if you want to stay, but want the person harming you to leave? The IDVA/IDAA or specialist domestic abuse worker can help you think this through.

Safety planning suggestions:

â?¢ Have you talked your IDVA/IDAA through the layout of your house so you can think about any places of safety?

â?¢ If you had to leave in an emergency do you know where you would go? Remember many shops/restaurants/pubs will be shut.

â?¢ If someone you trust is doing your shopping for you could you write a message on the shopping list asking for help?

Code word

â?¢ Have a bag packed ready if you can. Leave this at a trusted friend/family/neighbour’s home. This should contain medical essentials, important documents including passports/driving licence. Maybe the service you are in touch with could keep copies of these documents?

â?¢ Have a code word to signal you are in danger - set this up for family and friends to let them know by text/FaceTime/Skype. The code will need to alert them to contact the police if you are in danger.

â?¢ Teach the code to children who are old enough to understand what you are asking of them and why.

â?¢ Have a little bit of money hidden away in case you need this to leave.

â?¢ Do you need a separate mobile which you can use just to call for help? The service you are in touch with may be able to supply this.

â?¢ If there are times you know you can talk, share this with your specialist worker and agree how you will reach each other.

â?¢ Use the fact there are no online shopping slots available to go to the shop and speak to someone.

â?¢ Consider whether there is someone else you could move in with. For instance, a vulnerable family member who will need your support.

â?¢ If you do access any information from domestic abuse help websites, you may need to delete your browser history or use ’private browsing’ as a way to hide your searches.

The Women’s Aid Refuge in the island is open. Its number is 677900.

For those in immediate danger call 999 and ask for the police. Those who are not in immediate danger can contact Victim Support on 679950 or search @victimsupportiom on Facebook.

There is also a freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247.