After a three month break from our screens due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, EastEnders was finally back for it’s much anticipated return on 7th September. Producers of soaps have acknowledged the pandemic by making reference to characters shielding or with references to social distancing however EastEnders decided to tackle a much more traumatic aspect to the lockdown period with their story line focused on the rise in domestic abuse cases during the months spent at home.
The Aitkins’ family arrived on the cobbles of Albert Square last year and since then Chantelle and been subjected to harrowing physical and mental abuse by her husband Gray. Chantelle is forced to spend the lockdown period at home with her husband and it is clear when the show picks back up that the abuse has heightened.
We see that Chantelle has made the decision to file for divorce however Gray has been tracking her phone and has his suspicions that she is planning to leave him confirmed when he spots a pop-up advert for divorce lawyers on his computer. Her decision to leave him leads to her being murdered as she tries to escape in scenes which are particularly distressing to watch.
Facts behind the fiction
It is reported that the soap worked closely with Women’s Aid and Refuge when writing scripts for the story and it is all the more harrowing to watch as it is clear this is a real issue and one which the current pandemic has heightened. As well as working closely with EastEnders and using their knowledge of survivors’ stories to inform their feedback, it is understood that Women’s Aid also visited the show with a domestic abuse survivor who campaigns at the organization and met with scriptwriters to share stories of what it is really like to experience abuse in a relationship and this reflects in the final scenes which seem all the more a reflection on the reality of life for many women.
A recent investigation by Panorama and Women’s Aid in August of this year found that the corona virus crisis has dramatically increased domestic violence against women in the UK, with two thirds of women in abusive relationships having suffered increased violence from their partners during the pandemic.
It seems that adapting the plot of the soap to mirror the experience of real women in lockdown has brought this suffering home to many people, in the way a public campaign for example, could not.
Your right to safety
As the second lockdown continues, it is likely that the figures will again show a spike in cases of domestic abuse in UK homes. Another period of enforced proximity coupled with financial worries made worse by a repeat lockdown could have catastrophic consequences for some. Domestic abuse can be anything from shouting at your partner to the scenes we saw on our screens last month. Whether it be physical or mental, domestic abuse is not right and people should not be suffering in this way.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse please do not suffer in silence. We are here to listen to you and support you in any way that we can.
There are ways in which we can help you gain protection from the Courts. If appropriate we can take steps to obtain an Order called a Non-Molestation Order which prevents someone from using or threatening violence towards you or your children. Another option, which may be appropriate in some situations, is an Occupation Order which sets out who can live in the family home and whether one party needs to leave. The terms of both of these Orders depend on the circumstances of the individual cases however a breach of any Non-Molestation Order is a criminal offence and can carry a prison sentence of up to 5 years.
We understand the sensitivity of these matters and we will always communicate with clients confidentially. We will be guided by the person as to how and when they wish to communicate.
At Broudie Jackson Canter, we have experienced lawyers who have dealt with many cases of domestic abuse. We acknowledge that it can take a lot to finally seek help and understand the sensitive nature of the situation. Whether you are still in a violent relationship or were previously, we can help you ensure that you and your children are protected moving forward and that financial needs are met following a separation.
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