Each of our Natura &Co sister companies (Avon, Aesop and Natura) will also be campaigning on this important issue. Together we can help combat the rise in domestic violence. Collectively we’ve penned a global open letter to governments, governors, mayors and legislators everywhere, to support the UN Women’s call to prioritize domestic violence survivors at this time. Please read it and ask your local decision-makers what they’re doing to support survivors.
ISOLATED NOT ALONE
WE WANT TO COMBAT THE RISE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING COVID-19
Much of the world is self-isolating right now. Whilst this has an enormous impact on people everywhere, this is particularly true for those at risk of domestic violence.
Many people who are in abusive or violent situations are now more trapped and isolated than ever. This is one of the less spoken about and unseen consequences of Covid-19 and unfortunately, it’s a trend that’s being experienced worldwide.
- In Brazil a state-run drop-in centre has already seen a 40-50% surge in domestic violence cases that it attributes to coronavirus isolation.
- In Australia there has been a 75% rise in Google searches for help since the start of the lockdown.
- In Hubei province of China, domestic violence reports to police more than tripled during the lockdown in February, compared to the previous year.1
- In just a few days, Catalan authorities in Spain reported a 20% increase in calls to a domestic violence helpline.1
Domestic violence can affect anyone, anywhere. If lockdown remains in place for 6 months, 31 million additional gender-based violence cases can be expected.4 We need to do something about it.
Gender based violence is a human rights violation that we first fought against in 1994 with our domestic violence campaign in Canada. We went on to campaign globally against domestic violence between 2003 and 2008 with Stop Violence in the Home. Then in 2009 we launched the Stop Sex Trafficking of Children & Young People.
ADVICE FOR PEOPLE AT RISK OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
ADVICE FOR THOSE THAT SUSPECT SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
TIME TO ASK
TIME TO GIVE
Share this important message and join the fight to help end domestic violence #IsolatedNotAlone
The Body Shop does not provide emergency service of any kind including crises intervention, counselling, housing, legal or financial assistance.
Sources: (1) https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/28/lockdowns-world-rise-domestic-violence (2) https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/reports-75-per-cent-spike-in-searches-for-help-with-domestic/12101690 (3) NO MORE and World Health Organisation (WHO) (4) https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/resource-pdf/COVID-19_impact_brief_for_UNFPA_24_April_2020_1.pdf