In some circumstances, domestic abuse may amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.iScottish Women’s Aid, Written Evidence
Specific measures taken to address the pandemic including, lockdown, early release of prisoners, closure of schools, working from home, reductions in the work of courts and closure of some services and transition of others to remote provision, SWA said, have impacted on women and children in domestic abuse situations.iScottish Women’s Aid, Written Evidence
Also, SWA advised calls to Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline show abusers are using measures imposed to combat the pandemic as a tool in their abuse, for example increasing their control of women’s movement, keeping them isolated, threatening to expose them to the virus, or discouraging women from seeking help by telling them that services are not operating or that the police will not respond.iScottish Women’s Aid, Written Evidence
HRC Scotland was concerned about victims/survivors who do not live with their abusers, as they may feel an increased level of fear at the prospect of their abuser knowing that they are at home, and the possibility for further surveillance that this creates.ivHuman Rights Consortium Scotland, Written Evidence
In addition, HRCS advised women who sell sex are at increased risk of violence and exploitation as evidence from other countries indicates that demand for sex is as high as before COVID-19 and that men are using the crisis to further manipulate women in vulnerable situations to engage in more risky behaviour...