Coronavirus: Parramatta domestic violence services prepare for more incidents
Services that help domestic violence victims are bracing for a rise in incidents as more families are forced to live under the one roof during social isolation measures.
Parramatta
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Parramatta domestic violence case workers are preparing for more incidents during the coronavirus self isolation period but experts also believe the health crisis will force victims to tolerate the crime so they don’t leave their homes.
Parramatta Women’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Service co-ordinator Oloa Savaiinaea, which supports victims within 24 hours after police refer them for assistance, said staff anticipated the coronavirus-curbing measure to self isolate could trigger more crimes.
“Given us humans get on humans’ nerves — domestic violence between mum and dad, or mum and kids, or dad and the kids, and siblings — there’s a potential increase in that,’’ she said.
“There’s a lot of older children still at home. I think it’s unaffordable to move out and some of the children are adults and have broken marriages and move home with their parents and they’re not getting proper help and turn to the bottle.’’
Ms Savaiinaea said the service, which supports women with phone calls and at court hearings, received more than 100 referrals a week.
It received 60 phone calls on Monday, traditionally the busiest day after the weekend.
Its vast area encompasses the Parramatta, Cumberland, Hills and Auburn police area commands.
Some of their clients are referred to the Parramatta Women’s Shelter, which is housing 23 mothers and children.
Shelter manager Tania Smith agreed the number of domestic violence incidents could climb during the coronavirus shutdown but predicted many women would be reluctant to seek refuge at the shelter, where they would normally stay for three months.
“I think women are unlikely to move and live in communal living so it’s a ‘better the devil you know’ sort of thing,’’ she said.
She said the shelter was organising changes to deal with physical distancing between the families it assisted, as well as ensuring online access for children learning at home.
Ms Savaiinaea said while the three Parramatta advocacy workers were working from home and adjusting to new court measures, such as conducting more matters through video link, “it’s business as usual’’ and workers still physically supported victims at court.
● If you are experiencing domestic violence call 000.