Back in February it was reported that: “Black women scared to report domestic abuse in case Home Office deports them” (1) since then, events have moved in an unexpected trajectory. On March 11th the World Health Organisation declared the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) a global pandemic. (2) This was followed by the UK Prime Minister issuing a “must stay at home” order (popularly referred to as “lockdown”) on March 23rd. (3)
Domestic Abuse campaigners began to raise the alarm that the “lockdown” would be a “pressure cooker for abuse” amid a climate of record increases of reported abuse offences. (4)
It didn’t take long for the data to reveal that these concerns were justified with a “surge in domestic violence” cases with killings “more than double.” Karen Ingala Smith, the founder of Counting Dead Women, a project that records the killing of women by men in the UK said to The Guardian newspaper:
“We can say that the number of women killed by men over the first three weeks since lockdown is the highest it’s been for at least 11 years and is double that of an average 21 days over the last 10 years.” (5)
Elsewhere, Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, reported a 700% increase in calls to its helpline in a single day, while a separate helpline for perpetrators of domestic abuse seeking help to change their behaviour received 25% more calls since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. (6)
In response, the government, through Home Secretary, who is not without her own bullying controversies (7), announced that help for all victims of abuse was available in the form of awareness raising and almost £80m to bolster domestic abuse helplines and online support. Another initiative, following enquiries from support organisations, is for hotel chains offering alternative accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. (8)
However, this figure is far below the estimated £173m that Domestic Violence charities that is needed to ensure that no woman or child is turned away. (9)
But even if this figure were met, there is no guarantee that it would assist some of the most at-risk groups, including the Afrikan community, who are said to experience higher rates of domestic homicide. Funding of this type tends to be funnelled towards the larger, mainstream organisations, leaving those offering specialised services struggling. Indeed a number of refuges for “BME” face closure due to spending cuts. A report by Imkaan, an organisation which addresses violence against BME women, found the combined income of 15 London-based BME organisations dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls is less than that of the main single provider in the capital. In London, some 40 per cent of the population is BME, and it has the highest concentration of such services. A 2015 report by the organisation found 733 BME women sought refuge spaces in London, yet only 154 were successful. (10)
This is why the likes of Sis. Ngozi Fulani of Sistah Space, a community-based initiative that supports African heritage women and girls established in 2015 after the brutal murder of Sis. Valerie Forde and her daughter RJ, is calling upon London Mayor Sadiq Khan to ensure that, among other things:
“Police, local authorities, NHS and housing providers recognise that African & Caribbean heritage women are often overlooked for DV support and should be given specific consideration in this regard.
Additional funding and support to black led women organisations such as Sistah Space who provide culturally specific services. Black women must be part of that decision-making process.” (11)
Sistah Space have also established a petition to support Valerie’s Law: Protecting Women from Domestic Abuse During Covid-19. (https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/valerie-s-law-protecting-women-from-domestic-violence-during-covid-19?source=facebook-share-button&time=1586185822&utm_source=facebook&share=e5b7582a-770d-4594-8ca2-662edcac1b29&fbclid=IwAR23Z5pnUDDuZpQpoylhfHrAqsSJSgUIr2uUxz_8NgI7L7SCHifTrm4-58I)
The track records for both the government and the Mayor should temper any expectations of any immediate respite to the current situation. (12) Thus the community itself will have to be proactive in its approach. The programmes on this topic that Afrika Speaks have hosted since July last year indicate that there may be more overstanding, if not empathy, needed. The overwhelming majority of the callers have been male advancing a range of responses from declaring that they themselves do not abuse women to assertions that such behaviour is not our way and can be addressed by re-connecting with our culture in a communal (village context). Others set their sights on the terminology used by some of the guests as the source of their ire.
One of the few female callers was our beloved Sis. Nkechi Ode who made her frustrations clear:
“I am really seriously infuriated by the response of some of the male callers in relation to this issue. Domestic violence is a very serious issue. In Hackney I personally know someone who had died as a result of domestic violence. It’s a real and its’s a current issue in our community and it has wide ranging impact on people’s lives, especially the children. So when people are ringing up and getting caught up on languages, what they need to realise is we need to look for solutions to this issue. There is an issue and it definitely needs to be addressed. Our children are getting removed from Social Services because of the prevalence of domestic violence and people not understanding how it affects children… When we talk about the issue of abuse, it manifests itself in all different shapes and forms. Sometimes when you’re constantly shouting and ranting, that in itself is a form of abuse because it impacts the individual psyche and we have to remember that. Also, what we have to remember, the impact of abuse on children and on the woman is devastating. it’s very destructive to our community and we need to learn to build, we need to learn to work together and we need to be supportive – stop criticizing, because it’s a relevant and a current issue.
The people that have called and have ranted, they’ve minimised it and as a woman I can tell you that I’m so cheesed off to have heard the mentality of some of the brothers. You don’t do that. People need to remember, there isn’t a village here, there isn’t. If there was a village we would be having a different conversation. People need to realise that we are very fractured, the Afrikan community. We are dispersed all over the place, there’s no sense of community. We all have a different experience based on where you’re coming from and you need to remember that. You have a different experience based on your upbringing. For those of us who have grown up outside of our cultural frame of reference in the Caribbean, it’s gonna be different, we are dispersed. we’ve internalised other people’s values. We don’t hold the family in high regard like we used to do. People are not as supportive, they’re not coming together, they’re not getting involved and that is the issue.
So when we’re talking, let’s look at what we can recreate, let’s look at what we can get back, in order to keep our women and our children safe, that’s the discussion we need to be having. we’re in a crisis and people some want to argue over language, the use of language? From the time that you open up your mouth and you cuss some bad word, you’re an abuser. That’s abusive behaviour. If you want to get to space whereby you want peace, bring it come. But come with your negativity on the radio, especially when this is a subject that’s not often talked about and when it is, what are people doing? they’re caught up on some pathetic use of language. I know language is very important but what we need to remember, we need to find solutions to our problems. So if you’re not coming with a solution-based approach, don’t bother pick up the phone, don’t say anything. At the end of the day, understanding, appreciating and giving your support to organisations that are out there and to our brothers and sisters working in the system to protect our children. To those that are mouthing, some of them, you ain’t doing nothing, all you’re doing is being mouthy.” (13)
This clip was replayed on our show on April 6th this year as part of our remembrance of our dear sister who passed away on March 30th. The playing of the clip elicited the following series of responses from a texter:
“Text 1: TENDAI MWARI Galaxy Family, let’s debunk the myth about domestic abuse/violence. It’s not just male perpetrators and men need protecting just as much as women. In fact the majority of domestic violence/abuse is perpetrated against children by their mothers, as it’s mostly single women raising children in domestic settings (especially in the Black community). So the most sensationalised stories are reported are regurgitated by feminists, like murders committed by men, but the majority of domestic abuse is perpetrated by females. I’m a survivor myself from a very violent and abusive mother. I speak from experience and research.
Text 2: This narrative that men are the only perpetrators of domestic abuse allows little girls to grow up knowing they can physically hit boys without any consequence because little boys are constantly trying not to be a ‘woman beater’. So in adulthood females hit men like it’s standard behaviour and men must constantly moderate their retaliation method in fear of being labelled a woman beater but the hidden truth is that ‘man beaters’ are prevalent!
Text 3: Domestic violence is not a buzz word for men hitting women! Females are also perpetrators.”
This perspective then suggests that men, not women are the primary victims of abuse. Although making reference to “research” the texter did not provide any findings. The most readily available data shows that between 1.2-1.3 million women and 695,000-713,000 men have experienced domestic abuse, or slightly less than double the number of women than men. Studies by the ManKind Initiative reveal that male victims are over three times as likely as women to keep their abuse a secret, or refuse to tell the police or medical professional. (14)
We have noted that not many sisters call into our shows on domestic abuse and wonder how this absence contributes to our collective overstanding of domestic abuse.
Nevertheless, at the end of the day, as a community we need to look out for each other and Sis. Ngozi offers some tips for negotiating the “lockdown” environment and video advice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMgoARMRvA):
“Be conscious of the people around you and the change in their energy and mood.
If you see someone’s getting short-tempered you can’t do anything about them but you can do something about yourself – so withdraw from the conversation or be mindful about it.
Pack a bag with your essentials in it and place it with a neighbour or somewhere hidden and safe to be accessed easily. This is vex money or a vex bag. It means pack your essentials in one bag or even a coat pocket so if you must shift at any one moment you can pick up your bag and go.
The bag can be placed with a neighbour, left in the front garden behind bins or even in the bottom of a bin bag – someplace where it won’t be found.
If you think you are in danger leave the situation, go somewhere safe and call for help.
Keep your phone battery fully charged and you’re phone nearby.
The first thing perpetrators will try and do is take a victims phone so they can’t get help.
Perpetrators of domestic violence should try and take a few moments if they find themselves getting frustrated or angry – Don’t take it out on the people who are in the same situation as you.
Sistah Space is providing online support and resources that can be dropped off during the lockdown (https://www.sistahspace.org/contact-us). (15)
(1) Joe Roberts (27/02/20) Black women scared to report domestic abuse in case Home Office deports them. https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/27/black-women-scared-report-domestic-abuse-case-home-office-deports-12313855/?ito=cbshare?ito=cbshare
(2) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (11/03/20) WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 11 March 2020. https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19—11-march-2020
(3) Boris Johnson (23/03/20) PM address to the nation on coronavirus: 23 March 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020
(4) Holly Chant (30/03/20) Hackney domestic violence charity warns Covid-19 lockdown is pressure cooker for abuse. https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/crime-court/founder-of-hackney-domestic-abuse-charity-warns-lockdown-is-pressure-cooker-for-abuse-1-6584693
(5) Jamie Grierson (15/04/20) Domestic abuse killings ‘more than double’ amid Covid-19 lockdown. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/15/domestic-abuse-killings-more-than-double-amid-covid-19-lockdown
(6) Mark Townsend (12/04/20) Revealed: surge in domestic violence during Covid-19 crisis. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/12/domestic-violence-surges-seven-hundred-per-cent-uk-coronavirus
(7) Jonathan Reilly (22/02/20) ‘A PATTERN’ Priti Patel is accused of bullying civil servants for at least five years. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11016982/priti-patel-is-accused-of-bullying-five-years/; Christopher Hope (09/04/20) Priti Patel bullying report delayed for weeks while Boris Johnson is in hospital. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/04/09/priti-patel-bullying-report-delayed-weeks-boris-johnson-hospital/
(8) Townsend. Op. Cit; Nandini Archer (05/05/20) The COVID-19 domestic violence crisis in the UK is a decade in the making. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/covid-19-domestic-violence-crisis-uk-decade-making/
(9) Archer. Ibid.
(10) Maya Oppenheim (06/07/19) DWomen’s lives ‘at risk’ as refuges for black and minority ethnic domestic-violence survivors face closure? 14.10.19? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/women-refuge-domestic-violence-refuge-bame-london-black-women-s-project-newham-cuts-a8990391.html
(11) Ngozi Fulani (31/03/20) To: Mayor London, Sadiq Khan – Valerie’s Law: Protecting Women from Domestic Abuse During Covid-19. https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/valerie-s-law-protecting-women-from-domestic-violence-during-covid-19?source=facebook-share-button&time=1586185822&utm_source=facebook&share=e5b7582a-770d-4594-8ca2-662edcac1b29&fbclid=IwAR23Z5pnUDDuZpQpoylhfHrAqsSJSgUIr2uUxz_8NgI7L7SCHifTrm4-58I
(12) Jessica Elgot (17/04/18) Theresa May’s ‘hostile environment’ at heart of Windrush scandal.” https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/17/theresa-mays-hostile-environment-policy-at-heart-of-windrush-scandal; Black History Walks (24/02/20) Sankofa Day refused by City Hall (February 2020). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ17vbsvFVo
(13) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (06/04/20) What should our national health agenda include? https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/what-should-our-national-health-agenda-include-060420/
(14) Jenny Rees (01/03/19) Male domestic abuse victims ‘suffering in silence’. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47252756.; Jess Lester (18/04/18) MEN TOO Male domestic abuse statistics in the UK – how many men are affected and where can they seek help? https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/6081393/male-domestic-abuse-statistics-help/
(15) Chant. Op. cit.
We ask the question:
Is there really an increased risk of Domestic Abuse during the “Coronavirus lockdown”?
1) Is help for “all victims of abuse” really available?
2) Do we expect Afrikan community organisations to access the funding?
3) Are (female) ‘man beaters’ really prevalent?
4) How reliable is the data on domestic abuse?
5) What is our collective overstanding of abuse and its impact?
Our Special Guests:
Sis. Ngozi Fulani (CEO, IDVA, ISVA): is the founder member of Sistah Space & is the senior member of staff in charge of day to day running. Ngozi qualified as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) & an Independent Sexual Viol
Back in February it was reported that: “Black women scared to report domestic abuse in case Home Office deports them” (1) since then, events have moved in an unexpected trajectory. On March 11th the World Health Organisation declared the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) a global pandemic. (2) This was followed by the UK Prime Minister issuing a “must stay at home” order (popularly referred to as “lockdown”) on March 23rd. (3)
Domestic Abuse campaigners began to raise the alarm that the “lockdown” would be a “pressure cooker for abuse” amid a climate of record increases of reported abuse offences. (4)
It didn’t take long for the data to reveal that these concerns were justified with a “surge in domestic violence” cases with killings “more than double.” Karen Ingala Smith, the founder of Counting Dead Women, a project that records the killing of women by men in the UK said to The Guardian newspaper:
“We can say that the number of women killed by men over the first three weeks since lockdown is the highest it’s been for at least 11 years and is double that of an average 21 days over the last 10 years.” (5)
Elsewhere, Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, reported a 700% increase in calls to its helpline in a single day, while a separate helpline for perpetrators of domestic abuse seeking help to change their behaviour received 25% more calls since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. (6)
In response, the government, through Home Secretary, who is not without her own bullying controversies (7), announced that help for all victims of abuse was available in the form of awareness raising and almost £80m to bolster domestic abuse helplines and online support. Another initiative, following enquiries from support organisations, is for hotel chains offering alternative accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. (8)
However, this figure is far below the estimated £173m that Domestic Violence charities that is needed to ensure that no woman or child is turned away. (9)
But even if this figure were met, there is no guarantee that it would assist some of the most at-risk groups, including the Afrikan community, who are said to experience higher rates of domestic homicide. Funding of this type tends to be funnelled towards the larger, mainstream organisations, leaving those offering specialised services struggling. Indeed a number of refuges for “BME” face closure due to spending cuts. A report by Imkaan, an organisation which addresses violence against BME women, found the combined income of 15 London-based BME organisations dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls is less than that of the main single provider in the capital. In London, some 40 per cent of the population is BME, and it has the highest concentration of such services. A 2015 report by the organisation found 733 BME women sought refuge spaces in London, yet only 154 were successful. (10)
This is why the likes of Sis. Ngozi Fulani of Sistah Space, a community-based initiative that supports African heritage women and girls established in 2015 after the brutal murder of Sis. Valerie Forde and her daughter RJ, is calling upon London Mayor Sadiq Khan to ensure that, among other things:
“Police, local authorities, NHS and housing providers recognise that African & Caribbean heritage women are often overlooked for DV support and should be given specific consideration in this regard.
Additional funding and support to black led women organisations such as Sistah Space who provide culturally specific services. Black women must be part of that decision-making process.” (11)
Sistah Space have also established a petition to support Valerie’s Law: Protecting Women from Domestic Abuse During Covid-19. (https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/valerie-s-law-protecting-women-from-domestic-violence-during-covid-19?source=facebook-share-button&time=1586185822&utm_source=facebook&share=e5b7582a-770d-4594-8ca2-662edcac1b29&fbclid=IwAR23Z5pnUDDuZpQpoylhfHrAqsSJSgUIr2uUxz_8NgI7L7SCHifTrm4-58I)
The track records for both the government and the Mayor should temper any expectations of any immediate respite to the current situation. (12) Thus the community itself will have to be proactive in its approach. The programmes on this topic that Afrika Speaks have hosted since July last year indicate that there may be more overstanding, if not empathy, needed. The overwhelming majority of the callers have been male advancing a range of responses from declaring that they themselves do not abuse women to assertions that such behaviour is not our way and can be addressed by re-connecting with our culture in a communal (village context). Others set their sights on the terminology used by some of the guests as the source of their ire.
One of the few female callers was our beloved Sis. Nkechi Ode who made her frustrations clear:
“I am really seriously infuriated by the response of some of the male callers in relation to this issue. Domestic violence is a very serious issue. In Hackney I personally know someone who had died as a result of domestic violence. It’s a real and its’s a current issue in our community and it has wide ranging impact on people’s lives, especially the children. So when people are ringing up and getting caught up on languages, what they need to realise is we need to look for solutions to this issue. There is an issue and it definitely needs to be addressed. Our children are getting removed from Social Services because of the prevalence of domestic violence and people not understanding how it affects children… When we talk about the issue of abuse, it manifests itself in all different shapes and forms. Sometimes when you’re constantly shouting and ranting, that in itself is a form of abuse because it impacts the individual psyche and we have to remember that. Also, what we have to remember, the impact of abuse on children and on the woman is devastating. it’s very destructive to our community and we need to learn to build, we need to learn to work together and we need to be supportive – stop criticizing, because it’s a relevant and a current issue.
The people that have called and have ranted, they’ve minimised it and as a woman I can tell you that I’m so cheesed off to have heard the mentality of some of the brothers. You don’t do that. People need to remember, there isn’t a village here, there isn’t. If there was a village we would be having a different conversation. People need to realise that we are very fractured, the Afrikan community. We are dispersed all over the place, there’s no sense of community. We all have a different experience based on where you’re coming from and you need to remember that. You have a different experience based on your upbringing. For those of us who have grown up outside of our cultural frame of reference in the Caribbean, it’s gonna be different, we are dispersed. we’ve internalised other people’s values. We don’t hold the family in high regard like we used to do. People are not as supportive, they’re not coming together, they’re not getting involved and that is the issue.
So when we’re talking, let’s look at what we can recreate, let’s look at what we can get back, in order to keep our women and our children safe, that’s the discussion we need to be having. we’re in a crisis and people some want to argue over language, the use of language? From the time that you open up your mouth and you cuss some bad word, you’re an abuser. That’s abusive behaviour. If you want to get to space whereby you want peace, bring it come. But come with your negativity on the radio, especially when this is a subject that’s not often talked about and when it is, what are people doing? they’re caught up on some pathetic use of language. I know language is very important but what we need to remember, we need to find solutions to our problems. So if you’re not coming with a solution-based approach, don’t bother pick up the phone, don’t say anything. At the end of the day, understanding, appreciating and giving your support to organisations that are out there and to our brothers and sisters working in the system to protect our children. To those that are mouthing, some of them, you ain’t doing nothing, all you’re doing is being mouthy.” (13)
This clip was replayed on our show on April 6th this year as part of our remembrance of our dear sister who passed away on March 30th. The playing of the clip elicited the following series of responses from a texter:
“Text 1: TENDAI MWARI Galaxy Family, let’s debunk the myth about domestic abuse/violence. It’s not just male perpetrators and men need protecting just as much as women. In fact the majority of domestic violence/abuse is perpetrated against children by their mothers, as it’s mostly single women raising children in domestic settings (especially in the Black community). So the most sensationalised stories are reported are regurgitated by feminists, like murders committed by men, but the majority of domestic abuse is perpetrated by females. I’m a survivor myself from a very violent and abusive mother. I speak from experience and research.
Text 2: This narrative that men are the only perpetrators of domestic abuse allows little girls to grow up knowing they can physically hit boys without any consequence because little boys are constantly trying not to be a ‘woman beater’. So in adulthood females hit men like it’s standard behaviour and men must constantly moderate their retaliation method in fear of being labelled a woman beater but the hidden truth is that ‘man beaters’ are prevalent!
Text 3: Domestic violence is not a buzz word for men hitting women! Females are also perpetrators.”
This perspective then suggests that men, not women are the primary victims of abuse. Although making reference to “research” the texter did not provide any findings. The most readily available data shows that between 1.2-1.3 million women and 695,000-713,000 men have experienced domestic abuse, or slightly less than double the number of women than men. Studies by the ManKind Initiative reveal that male victims are over three times as likely as women to keep their abuse a secret, or refuse to tell the police or medical professional. (14)
We have noted that not many sisters call into our shows on domestic abuse and wonder how this absence contributes to our collective overstanding of domestic abuse.
Nevertheless, at the end of the day, as a community we need to look out for each other and Sis. Ngozi offers some tips for negotiating the “lockdown” environment and video advice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMgoARMRvA):
“Be conscious of the people around you and the change in their energy and mood.
If you see someone’s getting short-tempered you can’t do anything about them but you can do something about yourself – so withdraw from the conversation or be mindful about it.
Pack a bag with your essentials in it and place it with a neighbour or somewhere hidden and safe to be accessed easily. This is vex money or a vex bag. It means pack your essentials in one bag or even a coat pocket so if you must shift at any one moment you can pick up your bag and go.
The bag can be placed with a neighbour, left in the front garden behind bins or even in the bottom of a bin bag – someplace where it won’t be found.
If you think you are in danger leave the situation, go somewhere safe and call for help.
Keep your phone battery fully charged and you’re phone nearby.
The first thing perpetrators will try and do is take a victims phone so they can’t get help.
Perpetrators of domestic violence should try and take a few moments if they find themselves getting frustrated or angry – Don’t take it out on the people who are in the same situation as you.
Sistah Space is providing online support and resources that can be dropped off during the lockdown (https://www.sistahspace.org/contact-us). (15)
(1) Joe Roberts (27/02/20) Black women scared to report domestic abuse in case Home Office deports them. https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/27/black-women-scared-report-domestic-abuse-case-home-office-deports-12313855/?ito=cbshare?ito=cbshare
(2) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (11/03/20) WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 – 11 March 2020. https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19—11-march-2020
(3) Boris Johnson (23/03/20) PM address to the nation on coronavirus: 23 March 2020. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-address-to-the-nation-on-coronavirus-23-march-2020
(4) Holly Chant (30/03/20) Hackney domestic violence charity warns Covid-19 lockdown is pressure cooker for abuse. https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/crime-court/founder-of-hackney-domestic-abuse-charity-warns-lockdown-is-pressure-cooker-for-abuse-1-6584693
(5) Jamie Grierson (15/04/20) Domestic abuse killings ‘more than double’ amid Covid-19 lockdown. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/15/domestic-abuse-killings-more-than-double-amid-covid-19-lockdown
(6) Mark Townsend (12/04/20) Revealed: surge in domestic violence during Covid-19 crisis. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/12/domestic-violence-surges-seven-hundred-per-cent-uk-coronavirus
(7) Jonathan Reilly (22/02/20) ‘A PATTERN’ Priti Patel is accused of bullying civil servants for at least five years. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11016982/priti-patel-is-accused-of-bullying-five-years/; Christopher Hope (09/04/20) Priti Patel bullying report delayed for weeks while Boris Johnson is in hospital. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/04/09/priti-patel-bullying-report-delayed-weeks-boris-johnson-hospital/
(8) Townsend. Op. Cit; Nandini Archer (05/05/20) The COVID-19 domestic violence crisis in the UK is a decade in the making. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/covid-19-domestic-violence-crisis-uk-decade-making/
(9) Archer. Ibid.
(10) Maya Oppenheim (06/07/19) DWomen’s lives ‘at risk’ as refuges for black and minority ethnic domestic-violence survivors face closure? 14.10.19? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/women-refuge-domestic-violence-refuge-bame-london-black-women-s-project-newham-cuts-a8990391.html
(11) Ngozi Fulani (31/03/20) To: Mayor London, Sadiq Khan – Valerie’s Law: Protecting Women from Domestic Abuse During Covid-19. https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/valerie-s-law-protecting-women-from-domestic-violence-during-covid-19?source=facebook-share-button&time=1586185822&utm_source=facebook&share=e5b7582a-770d-4594-8ca2-662edcac1b29&fbclid=IwAR23Z5pnUDDuZpQpoylhfHrAqsSJSgUIr2uUxz_8NgI7L7SCHifTrm4-58I
(12) Jessica Elgot (17/04/18) Theresa May’s ‘hostile environment’ at heart of Windrush scandal.” https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/17/theresa-mays-hostile-environment-policy-at-heart-of-windrush-scandal; Black History Walks (24/02/20) Sankofa Day refused by City Hall (February 2020). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ17vbsvFVo
(13) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (06/04/20) What should our national health agenda include? https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/what-should-our-national-health-agenda-include-060420/
(14) Jenny Rees (01/03/19) Male domestic abuse victims ‘suffering in silence’. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47252756.; Jess Lester (18/04/18) MEN TOO Male domestic abuse statistics in the UK – how many men are affected and where can they seek help? https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/6081393/male-domestic-abuse-statistics-help/
(15) Chant. Op. cit.
We ask the question:
Is there really an increased risk of Domestic Abuse during the “Coronavirus lockdown”?
1) Is help for “all victims of abuse” really available?
2) Do we expect Afrikan community organisations to access the funding?
3) Are (female) ‘man beaters’ really prevalent?
4) How reliable is the data on domestic abuse?
5) What is our collective overstanding of abuse and its impact?
Our Special Guests:
Sis. Ngozi Fulani (CEO, IDVA, ISVA): is the founder member of Sistah Space & is the senior member of staff in charge of day to day running. Ngozi qualified as an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) & an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA). Ngozi handles all the case studies and one to one surgeries. https://www.sistahspace.org/
Sis. Dr. Sandra Richards: is an African-centred scholar practitioner, author and broadcaster. She holds a Masters degree in Education and a PhD from Brunel University for her research in the area of education inclusion. She is currently on leave from her role as Senior Programme Officer at the University of the West Indies Quality Assurance Unit (Graduate Studies & Research) to undertake a “Global Research Trod,” looking at the experiences of Afrikans in the sixth region and our educational experiences.
Sis. Sandra also delivers workshops, lectures, talks and presentations on a range of subjects including: Rites of Passage, Overcoming Perennial Student Syndrome, Test-it Calls and You-into Us (Testicles & Uterus) and Triad Transcension. She also does Consultancy work and is the author of The Journey: A Journal Workbook for Personal Growth and Professional Development and The Way We See It. http://sisdrsandrarichards.com/home.html 0