Editorial

When the previous issue of this journal was in final preparation, the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, as did a global lockdown in a desperate attempt to contain the physical spread and its impact. None of us knew how the situation would develop, nor the impact it would have, not even for how long. We know now of the dreadful number of deaths and the longer-term physical health problems for some of those infected by the virus, despite much of the focus worldwide having been on protecting and providing for the physical health of people. This terrible situation continues to unfold as we finish preparing this, the fourth issue of The International Journal of Forensic Psychotherapy. We are all aware of the anticipated mental health impact becoming more visible as a consequence of fear of death, loss of control, loneliness, and reduced in-person outreach mental health services. The lockdown simultaneously led some to feel cut off and isolated, whilst others were faced with living in too close proximity without enough space. People in prison experienced lockdown within lockdown; many being kept in their cells for over twenty-three hours a day with no external visits from family, friends, or lawyers.

One of the tragedies of lockdown has been a rise in child abuse and domestic violence. As lockdowns eased, tensions have spilled out with rises in violent crime. Two horrific events particularly stand out during this time period. First, the killing of Breonna Taylor by police in the USA on 13 March 2020 and then, the killing of George Floyd on 25 May 2020. Both of these killings of black Americans strengthened the Black Lives Matter and Say Her Name movements. The Black Lives Matter movement had been conceived in July 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the shooting to death of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin seventeen months earlier in February 2012. The global outrage sparked by the broadcasting of Mr Floyd's killing meant that the usual silence in respons