With the country under lockdown for the past eight weeks, it’s easy to assume that these strict measures has also delivered a much-needed reduction in sexual violence.

However, the sad reality is that these numbers – which were extremely high to begin with – are unlikely to change.

One in five women and girls, and one in 10 men are still likely to experience sexual violence over the age of 16. While ‘stranger rape’ has hopefully become rarer during lockdown, it’s something that has never accounted for the majority of sexual violence – around 90 per cent is committed by people known to the survivors beforehand.

As well as working with the charity Rape Crisis, I run a website called Survivor Stories, which shares the experience of victims of sexual violence. Almost all of the people I’ve spoken to knew their perpetrator before being assaulted – many of whom were partners, ex-partners, friends or family members – which means that right now, there could potentially be thousands of people currently experiencing lockdown with the person who raped or is raping them.

Like domestic abuse, rape is often used by attackers to violently channel their own frustrations, and these could certainly be exacerbated by the pressures of a pandemic.

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While, at present, there hasn’t been a dramatic change in the number of people contacting Rape Crisis England and Wales services – who provided 732,184 sessions of specialist advice during 2018/19 – charities like these predict a deluge once the self-isolation period is over.

That’s why it’s so important to stress that there is still help available to anyone who needs it right now.

‘Face-to-face’ support has of course had to be adapted for lockdown, and is now being offered by most centres virtually, via phone or video. As much as we’d like this to work for every survivor, there are many for whom this isn’t suitable at the moment.

For some, there isn’t space – physically or emotionally – to take an hour out of family care duties, or they might fear being overheard by children or family members. Many feel that a neutral safe space is key to dealing with their trauma, and are understandably reluctant to delve into it within their own house.

Catherine* contacted me on Twitter after having to switch to video therapy, saying it takes a really good and patient counsellor to help build up a feeling of safety away from the therapy room. She added that sometimes she felt really isolated being on the other end of the screen, while she also faced the extra challenge of speaking from the very place she was raped – her home.

Those who’ve been abused during lockdown or found themselves wanting to tackle historic abuse for the first time will still need help

Meanwhile, others have decided that it just isn’t practical to do video calls right now, such as Becky*, who has been having therapy since November 2019, after she was raped six years ago. ‘I turned to therapy to help me deal with my rapist being released from prison,’ she told me. ‘I would have continued were it not for Covid-19 and I will definitely be continuing once lockdown is over, if my finances permit.’

Most of the survivors who are currently stopping therapy or other forms of support will choose to start up again once life goes back to normal.

You might wonder, if the numbers are stable, why Rape Crisis England and Wales suspect a massive rise in people needing help post-lockdown.

Those who’ve been abused during the pandemic or found themselves wanting to tackle historic abuse (which is classified as a year or longer ago) for the first time will still need help. These cases make up around three quarters of referrals to Rape Crisis, and obviously their needs haven’t been lessen by coronavirus.

As will any survivor who has put their treatment on hold or seen PTSD symptoms (trouble sleeping; flashbacks; anxiety; depression) worsened or triggered by the pandemic.

Not to mention the people who are continuing therapy but haven’t reached the end point – they will all require help and support when lockdown is over.

That’s why it’s crucial that in discussions on charity funding during the crisis, sexual violence services aren’t forgotten.

It’s easy to feel isolated during lockdown, particularly when you’re vulnerable or have been cut off from a coping mechanism such as therapy.

But know that you aren’t alone. There are still dedicated teams of volunteers available and keen to help, in whatever way they can. 

Do you need help?

If you’re experiencing sexual violence at present or want help to deal with historic abuse, there is help available across a range of media, such as video, web chat, phone, text and email. Visit Rape Crisis for more information on how you can get help, and to access the live one-tone chat helpline.

If you want to report a rape, you can do so online, call 101 or visit a police station. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the Metropolitan police textphone service on 18001 101.

Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.

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