Domestic violence increased during the time of the pandemic, which resulted in increased domestic violence related deaths, hospital admissions as well as increases of causes of concern by agencies about victims (as well as children and family members through witnessing and experiencing the domestic violence words and behaviour). The reasons for this are carried and complex. The requirements of lockdown to ensure reduced interaction inadvertently meant that there were increased issues such as mental health etc led to this increase. Also less opportunities for perpetrators and victims to leave their homes, release through jobs, hobbies etc. There is no legal or statutory responsibility for schools to address the issue of domestic violence in a proactive way.
205-1