It shouldn’t have taken so long for abuse prevention to be part of coronavirus planning – but we are finally getting somewhere

Thankfully, it appears we are finally being proactive in protecting vulnerable partners and children, writes Jess Phillips

National figures show that under the current government, demand for women’s services has risen by 83 per cent while funding has fallen by 50 per cent (iStock)

For about three weeks now I have been bemoaning the lack of a joined-up, integrated coronavirus crisis strategy for domestic abuse and child abuse.

I cannot believe from the get-go the Cobra meetings deciding and being advised on the possible need for lockdown and isolation did not include leading thinkers and strategists on safety in people’s homes. Why on earth were the domestic abuse commissioner, the victims commissioner and the children’s commissioner, not core to much of this planning.

We are now 12 days into Covid-19 lockdown and weeks into the crisis and finally I think we may be getting somewhere with regards to, at the very least, making the case for the need for the housing, safety, health and welfare of people who are simply not safe at home.