Skip to main content

Google reports 75 per cent spike in searches for help with domestic violence

Broadcast 
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
A close-up of a woman's hands holding a toy bear with children's play equipment in the background.
A Victorian woman who has been the victim of family violence during the coronavirus pandemic holds a teddy bear, on March 27, 2020.(ABC News: Andrew Altree-Williams)

As part of its $1.1 billion COVID-19 health response plan, the Government yesterday promised an "initial" $150 million of extra support for victims of domestic, family or sexual violence.

Google has reported a 75 per cent spike in searches for help with domestic violence.

With all of us urged to stay inside to protect the community from COVID-19, we need to acknowledge that the home is not always somewhere families can feel secure.

A significant amount of the extra funding for domestic violence will be directed to two national telephone counselling services, the first is run by 1800Respect and the second is Mensline Australia.

Guests:

Angela Lynch, CEO, Women's Legal Service QLD
Annabelle Daniel, CEO, NSW-based Women's Community Shelters

Producer: Gregg Borschmann

Broadcast 
Domestic Violence, Community and Society
QR code image for downloading the ABC listen app

Join the conversation

Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio