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The Ombudsman is concerned about reports of a surge in domestic violence during the coronavirus epidemic. He sent an open letter to people experiencing it and people around them.
The Ombudsman is receiving many alarming signals about the consequences of isolation and quarantine for the safety of people at risk of domestic violence. The experiences of other countries are also worrying. They confirm the sharp increase in reports of domestic violence.
The Ombudsman called: “Together we should face this problem. Despite the danger, we must remain sensitive to the harm of others. If your home is not safe and you are afraid that your loved ones might hurt you – seek help. Violence by a partner or other close person is a crime. No one has the right to beat, threaten, humiliate or in any other way violate the rights of another. The law and state institutions are there to protect us.”
The state of the epidemic and its consequences for our personal freedom must not leave those at risk of domestic violence without the necessary support. In response to their needs, the Office of the Ombudsman, acting in cooperation with experts from the Feminoteka Foundation, the Center for Women’s Rights and Blue Line IPZ, developed a “Contingency Plan”. It contains information about the possibilities of getting help during a pandemic for all those who experience violence in the four walls.
We would like to thank the Social Organizations for their help in its development and substantive support.
Personal contingency plan
If you know that you may experience domestic violence and are worried that it may be difficult to get help during an epidemic, prepare a personal emergency plan.
If something bad happens, you will immediately know how to react and where to go.
Your safety is a priority.
You are not guilty of violence and there are people who want to help you!
- Observe aggressive behaviour:
It’s important to know what kind of behaviour announces the worst and when the situation becomes dangerous for you, your loved ones, your children.
If you are experiencing brawls or screams, if you hear threats against you more and more often, if you experience physical violence e. g. jerking, pushing, beating or forcing sex – these are the signs that the violence is getting worse and worse.
- Teach children to be safe:
Tell the children where they can find help:
- e. g. that they can knock on a friend’s door,
- teach them the emergency number,
- talk to them that they are not guilty of violence and quarrelsomenessing,
- find out where the house key is, how to open the front door if something happens,
- make sure they know the address of the apartment if they have to call the services.
- A safe place:
Think about where you can find safe shelter in your home.
It is important that there are no dangerous tools.
Avoid the kitchen, garage, bathroom and other places where there may be hard floors or dangerous objects.
This link gives you a map, with the names of local organisations and institutions that help people experiencing violence. If you have not found a facility in your area, call your nearest Specialist Support Centre. You will find a phone call here or your local Emergency Intervention Centre.
Contact them, ask how they can help you.
- Be prepared to escape:
Pack everything in a handy bag, keep it close at hand so you can take it with you at any time. List of things to remember:
- Important documents such as Passport, ID card
- Medicine
- Phone
- Money/payment card
- Chargers
- Important phone numbers
- Keys to the house
- Doctor’s lessons (if you have one)
- Bank account numbers (saved)
- Lingerie
- Toothbrushes
- Protection measures needed during an epidemic: protective masks, gloves, small pack of disinfectant (if you have them at home)
- In case of emergency:
Do not run away from the children! They may also be in danger.
If you can’t escape, hide in the corner of the room. Cuff yourself, covering your face and head with your hands.
Try to always have your phone with a charged battery.
Call for help: 997, 112.
Program the emergency number on your mobile phone so that you can dial it with one key. In addition to the police telephone, you should also have the telephone numbers of an ambulance, someone close to you and the telephone number of a hostel where you can get help and support.
If you have to call for help in a public place, for example in the stairwell, consider if, instead of calling for help, you don’t shout THE FUEL! – which may prove more effective.
If the police come with the intervention and you are afraid for your life and health, demand that the perpetrator of the violence be arrested for 48 hours. This will give you time to find shelter, get help. Remember that despite the state of the epidemic, services have a duty to react immediately to cases of domestic violence!
- Meet your allies:
Talk to family, neighbors and friends about the situation in your home.
Work out a strategy with them to deal with any emergencies you might need their help. It may be helpful to establish an emergency word – if you use it, they will know that you urgently need help.
Try to fill out the following list of people you can call for support:
- Friend
- Family member
- District person
- Trustworthy teacher from your child’s school
- Friendly neighbor
- Colleague you trust
- Social organisation that will help you
- Doctor who knows you
- (if you have one) Your lawyer
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