Seeking Help and Helping Others During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is a tough time for people around the world, but for those experiencing domestic abuse it is even more difficult. Not only has domestic abuse around the world risen amid lockdowns (as reported by NPR, the BBC and many others), those experiencing it may find themselves locked up with their abuser 24 hours a day. If they also have their digital communications monitored, for example through stalkerware, their options for safely talking about their situation are extremely limited.

To help those victims and survivors, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, has published a guide on seeking help online while maintaining safety and privacy. The guide looks for example at how to use online chat to connect to helplines and services and at how to safely communicate from a device that is being monitored.

NNEDV also published a guide on helping a friend who is experiencing domestic abuse during COVID-19. Now more than ever it is important that we support these friends in whatever way we can.