While crime in general has fallen during the Covid-19 lockdown there has been a significant – sometimes dramatic – increase in domestic violence reporting across the world. As charities and campaigners warned, the pressure cooker effects of confinement and the impossibility of escape have left vulnerable women – for it is mainly women – in increased danger.

The Financial Times’ Gillian Tett reported on 29 April that calls to the charity ‘Refuge’ have increased by 49%, to about 400 calls a day. Across the world, estimates of the increase in levels of domestic violence range upwards from 20%.

There are a handful of places where there have been fewer calls to domestic abuse helplines during the pandemic lockdown, but even that is more cause for concern than reassurance: as campaigners point out, it could simply mean that those experiencing violence in the home can find no safe means to seek help.

In October this year BRF will publish an important new book by Helen Paynter: The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So: Why you don’t have to submit to domestic abuse and coercive control.

The book challenges the use of the Bible in validating domestic abuse. It is addressed directly to women experiencing such abuse, and to those who seek to support them, including pastoral leaders, friends and support organisations.

In response to the particular domestic pressures exacerbated by lockdown and social distancing BRF is making available an extract from The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So which can be downloaded for free here.

Download the extract