You can leave your home during lockdown to escape domestic abuse. That's the important message the Prime Minister gave when he announced the latest national lockdown.

A BBC Look North (Yorkshire) report from the 6th January examines the potential impacts of the latest lockdown on people living with domestic abuse. Click here to view the BBC Look North news story (The domestic abuse feature starts at 10 min 30 sec).

North Yorkshire Police saw a reduction of calls relating to domestic violence in the first lockdown, but this does not mean that incidents of domestic abuse decreased. Chief Inspector Allan Wescott said: "We know that it's still happening. The key message for us is that we're still here. Police will come to you if you need us."

Carmel Offord, from IDAS who was interviewed for the news piece said: "We know that perpetrators will use the lockdown, the increased isolation and the limited access to support, to further control their victims. It is a really worrying time going into another lockdown, we are very concerned about people's safety."

If you are living with domestic abuse, you are not alone. Call our helplines across North Yorkshire, Barnsley and Sheffield for advice and support or call the national 24 hour domestic abuse helpline.

Tel: 03000 110 110 (North Yorkshire and Barnsley)
Tel: 0808 2000 247 (Sheffield)

National 24 hour domestic abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247

You can also chat with one of our support workers via our Live Chat service on this website between 3pm-6pm, Monday - Friday, or you can email us at: info@idas.org.uk