source: Jewish News

published: 2 December 2020

Image Credit : tuelekza at www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Broadcaster Emma Barnett said domestic abuse is “still a subject shrouded in shame”, as she appeared on a panel to raise greater awareness of the issue. She was joined by bestselling author Noreena Hertz.

Addressing a virtual audience of 530 viewers, Barnett – who next month becomes the new presenter of Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour – was joined by economist and bestselling author Noreena Hertz and designate domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs for the event hosted by Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) on Thursday evening.

Increased Anxiety

The BBC broadcaster addressed a virtual audience of over 500 people and also was joined by bestselling author Noreena Hertz at an event organised by the Jewish Women's Aid charity.

In revealing how domestic abuse has increased on a national level, CEO Naomi Dickson said: “We’ve seen the same at Jewish Women’s Aid.”

She added: “Women are telling us that they’re increasingly anxious, increasingly prone to experiencing physical abuse and they’re very, very concerned about their children who are traumatised by what they’re witnessing in the home.”

Hertz, in conversation with Barnett, talked about the problem of 'optimism bias', whereby a close community can fail to acknowledge their own members can be affected by such issues.

She said: “If you’re Jewish, you may find it extremely hard to believe that that’s happening in your community.”

Read the full article here >