Lockdown surge in domestic violence

A national helpline set up for perpetrators of domestic abuse has reported a surge in calls by 25%.

The Respect phone line, which provides confidential advice to perpetrators about violence and domestic abuse, had a 26.86% increase in calls in the week starting March 30, compared with the week before.

The Respect phone line website recorded an increase in hits of 125% in the same period.

South Cheshire based My CWA (formerly known as Cheshire Without Abuse) wants local people from across the county to know that during the coronavirus pandemic they are not alone, and that there is still support for people struggling with conflict during lockdown.

CEO Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie explained: "This lockdown has exacerbated so many things for so many families and whilst there is a lot of help and assistance highlighted for victims of abuse, there has been less media surrounding any help for the perpetrators domestic abuse.

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Have you ever said, 'I know exactly how you’re feeling'? Quit it.

transform Through Therapy specializes in online group therapy, with a special focus on grief and caregiving. In this series, they will be talking about COVID-19 and the impact it is having on mental health.

It's a common reaction. Someone is going through a hard situation — loss, hardship, for all of us in one way or another, COVID-19 — and deep down, it's an uncomfortable thing to talk about. So a natural reaction is for us to try and empathize by saying, "I know what you mean."

We all do it. We feel like conversationally, we're giving them a big hug.

But it's not often taken that way.

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Hungary prepares to end legal recognition of trans people

Hungary's rightwing government looks likely to push through legislation that will end the legal recognition of trans people by defining gender as "biological sex based on primary sex characteristics and chromosomes" and thus making it impossible for people to legally change their gender.

Trans people and rights activists say the law, which has been introduced into parliament as attention is focused on the coronavirus pandemic, will increase discrimination and intolerance towards trans people. Many will try to leave the country, while those who do not have that chance will face daily humiliations.

"In Hungary, you need to show your ID to rent a bike, buy a bus pass or to pick up a package at the post office. It basically means coming out as trans to complete strangers, all the time. The good version is they are nice about it, but there are situations where people turn quite hostile," said Ivett Ördög, a 39-year-old trans woman living in Budapest.

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Virus-free. www.avg.com