How pandemic impacted domestic abuse charity
FearFree says it was a challenging time, but it also brought opportunities to do things differently
A charity supporting survivors of domestic abuse is reflecting on how it was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as the Covid Inquiry enters its 10th phase, which will include a focus on how vulnerable people were affected.
FearFree CEO, Debbie Beadle, told Greatest Hits Radio that the pandemic was a challenging time for staff and the people they were supporting, but also provided opportunities to make improvements.
As domestic abuse incidents persisted during the lockdowns, the charity was able to quickly mobilise online operations and establish safety protocols for staff, allowing organisations to adapt swiftly despite the restrictions.
Ms Beadle said, "Fear Free and many organisations had to kind of mobilise online working, creating new kind of safety plans."
The pandemic intensified existing domestic abuse situations with many individuals confined in high-stress environments, often exacerbating conditions for victims and their children who could not escape the situation outside the household.
Ms Beadle acknowledges the continued trauma these circumstances caused, particularly for children deprived of safe spaces such as schools.
Pandemic created chance to make steps forward
She also notes positive developments, as the shift to online support and creating remote opportunities has increased accessibility for those who may struggle to attend in-person appointments, with Fear Free continuing these practices beyond the pandemic.
In preparation for potential future crises, Ms Beadle feels confident in the organisation's ability to swiftly mobilise responses, thanks to improved comfort levels with technology among both staff and service users.
To safeguard staff welfare, Fear Free has implemented routine check-ins, communication, and open-access leadership to ensure sufficient support and maintain team morale during stressful remote working conditions.
Extent of trauma revealed post-pandemic
During the pandemic, many survivors experienced heightened isolation and fear, leading to delayed outreach.
It was not until lockdowns lifted that Fear Free saw an influx of survivors seeking help, some encountering abuse for the first time during the heightened tensions.
Ms Beadle said: "Quite a lot of people coming forward that had experienced abuse in that tense environment, they had escalated and created an abusive situation."
The combination of pandemic-related isolation and ongoing abuse led to increased mental health challenges among survivors, adding complexity to the organisation's support roles amid restricted resources.
Despite these challenges, Ms Beadle remains optimistic about applying the lessons learned to strengthen support structures for both survivors and staff, ensuring readiness to meet future challenges with resilience and adaptability.