* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation. The restrictions put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19 have, unintentionally, created serious barriers to reaching people in situations of trafficking or violence and bringing them to safety By David Westlake, CEO of International Justice Mission UK. As the world grapples with the worst health crisis in living memory, a parallel - often hidden - pandemic has emerged in its wake: a pandemic of violence. COVID-19 lockdowns and the associated school closures, poverty and joblessness have increased risks of violence around the world, especially for women and girls. At this critical moment when global governments and civil society actors make plans to respond and rebuild, it is essential that we prioritise safety and protection for people vulnerable to violence.