It reports that problems had worsened for clients because of the increased time at home with the abuser, where they were under constant scrutiny and surveillance.
Increased economic abuse was triggered by women losing their job and becoming more financially dependent on their abuser, or abusers losing their job and then becoming more abusive towards their partner.
CEO Naomi Dickson said: “In my 18 years of involvement with Jewish Women’s Aid, there has never been a time when external societal conditions have had such a negative effect on women experiencing domestic abuse.
“Abusers are manipulating anti-Covid measures to control and torment Jewish women. Our dedicated staff are doing everything they can to support the increasing number of women and their children.”
In a statement of support, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said it was important to highlight the impact "of the Covid-19 pandemic on domestic violence within Jewish homes. We would like to believe that such illegal and shameful conduct does not afflict our Jewish community. Sadly, however, that’s not the reality. Prior to the pandemic there was a very real problem with domestic abuse within Jewish homes and during the pandemic we have seen a tragic increase in this phenomenon.”
