Extra assistance for woman facing gender violence during the COVID-19 lockdown

The Assistance, Recovery and Shelter Service (SARA) for women in a gender violence situation has been strengthened in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer emergencies were dealt with during the state of emergency, although the cases were much more serious than usual. Women at risk asked for less help, out of fear they would be going against the authorities’ recommendations for everyone to stay at home and because of their worries over the economic uncertainty.

26/08/2020 16:20 h

Ajuntament de Barcelona

There were 144 emergencies attended to at SARA during the state of emergency, roughly half the figure (284) for the same period in 2019. The post-lockdown figures, however, are now back to those of previous years.

In addition, the women assisted by the service generally felt that both their own and their family’s situation had worsened during the health emergency.

There was a rise in number of calls to the Catalan government’s telephone helpline, 900 900 120, by 1,068 up to 17 May. Most were requests for information on the services rather than emergencies.

Extra service to ensure support

SARA’s services, which have remained active, were strengthened during the state of emergency to ensure assistance throughout the health emergency.

Extra follow-ups were made for previously assisted women, to end their isolation, to ensure they felt supported and to enable them to leave their assailant’s home during the lockdown. There were a total of 8,566 interventions, up by 135%.

The number of shelter places available for gender-violence victims rose by 30, reaching 260 this summer.

You will find full information on all this from the barcelona.cat/bcnantimasclista website.

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