Lockdown has caused a rise in the cases of domestic violence by 25% globally. The side effect of which lead to homicide shooting northwards, rues our Managing Editor, Anumita. An exclusive for Different Truths from Columbus, OH, USA.
Working as a medical interpreter, there is a question which needs interpretation during many visits to the doctor, “do you feel safe at home?” This question is asked by the nurse to young adults, women and elderly. The answer to this question saves lives as the doctor’s office is one of the safest places to notify an abuse.
Families and partners are cooped up in close quarters inside four walls. The “stay home and stay safe” would save some people from the Coronavirus but would make them a victim of domestic abuse.
During the lockdown/stay-at-home period for the safety from the pandemic, the office visits to the doctors are terribly limited. Families and partners are cooped up in close quarters inside four walls. The “stay home and stay safe” would save some people from the Coronavirus but would make them a victim of domestic abuse.
According to the BBC (April 6), domestic abuse worldwide has shot up by 25 per cent. That is an alarming number. In that article, Rachel Williams says, “Domestic abuse isn’t always physical – it’s a pattern of controlling, threatening and coercive behaviour, which also can be emotional, economic, psychological or sexual.”
These threats increase as the proximity of the perpetrator and the victim is set up in an enclosed area for a prolonged period. The action of the lockdown has closed the doors from outside and has put up invisible roadblocks on escape routes. The article even states that the rise in abuse would result in the rise of homicides. The complaints offices are now overflowing with cries for help.
…the New York Times dated April 6, coined this new COVID-19 crisis as “Intimate Terrorism”…the coercive tactics used by the abuser to control their victim “bears uncanny resemblance” of that used by the kidnappers to subdue their prisoners.
In another article of the New York Times dated April 6, coined this new COVID-19
PC: shutterstock.com
crisis as “Intimate Terrorism”. The article states Judith Lewis Herman, a trauma expert of Harvard University Medical School, the coercive tactics used by the abuser to control their victim “bears uncanny resemblance” of that used by the kidnappers to subdue their prisoners.
Investigations prove that with the lockdown of every country there was a spike in the reports of domestic abuse. A country like China with its epicentre of the COVID-19 was not spared. The article graphically describes the plight of a Chinese woman, who held her infant baby when her husband bashed her with a highchair. When she managed to call the police, a report was filed but no steps are taken. Her divorce is pending as courts are not working. Italy was the worst-hit both by the virus and then domestic abuse. The shelters filled up. Hotels had to be made into make-shift shelters for battered women, who could not take it anymore. Other countries of Europe like Spain and Britain face similar situations.
Economic pressure often creates sparks and when the sparks are often they flare-up. With the stay at home orders many women have either less work or no work, this also puts them at the mercy of their perpetrator 24/7.
To add insult to injury was the loss of job. Economic pressure often creates sparks and when the sparks are often they flare-up. With the stay at home orders many women have either less work or no work, this also puts them at the mercy of their perpetrator 24/7. Those with abusive strains use the lockdown as their tool to micromanage and monitor every move of their victim. Many women say they are not physically abused but they do not have privacy even in their bathroom.
The Asia Pacific reiterated similar situations from countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. The supporting organisations of these countries are trying their best to work and help the victims. Fear of health is on the roads, while fear of life and mental health is indoors for many women. Report by Eco-Business states out the names of the different organisations taking to the streets inspite of the lockdown.
There is a contradictory report of domestic violence in India and Pakistan. They have noticed a drop in calls in abuse. News18 Buzz points out this is not due to an actual drop in the number of cases, it is on the contrary. According to Harvard Kennedy Studies of 2018, 71 per cent of men use cellphone in compares to 38 per cent of women in the India, Pakistan and Bangladesh region.
PC: youtube.com
There is a contradictory report of domestic violence in India and Pakistan. They have noticed a drop in calls in abuse. News18 Buzz points out this is not due to an actual drop in the number of cases, it is on the contrary. According to Harvard Kennedy Studies of 2018, 71 per cent of men use cellphone in compares to 38 per cent of women in the India, Pakistan and Bangladesh region. This proves that the lockdown of these countries has blocked any process of complaints being registered. Even during normal times, few women reported against abuse and even fewer police stations registered their complaints. The support and relief organizations believe that once the lockdown is lifted there will be a flood of complaints, even worse, there will be many fatalities. Activists say that a woman showing signs of flu or infection will be more vulnerable to abuse, as they would be considered to be the bringer of bad omen. Superstition fueled with the economic crisis and the extended time of isolation is creating havoc in this region.
NBC news article of April 5th highlights the many states of the US, which have experienced a rise in the number of domestic abuses. Hotlines have been set up for women to call but often rescue efforts are not up to the mark. The biggest issue for most shelters and organisations is money. The non-profit organisations run on funds, which have either trickled or dried out. This is another side effect of COVID-19. It has crippled the activities and capacity of the support organisations. The YWCA around the country is struggling to provide space for the women who need shelter from their abusers. They are also worried about housing the virus-infected victims. Since many shelters are filled to the brim, hiring hotel rooms or recreational vehicles (RVs) were thought as an alternative. That would cost, and there are not many sources of income to fund it.
PC: istock.com
The YWCA around the country is struggling to provide space for the women who need shelter from their abusers. They are also worried about housing the virus-infected victims. Since many shelters are filled to the brim, hiring hotel rooms or RVs were thought as an alternative.
There are cries for help which is not coming out in the open since the doors and windows of homes are shut, office and schools closed. The health workers for abused are urging all those who know someone in the family or friend who is in an abusive situation, to reach out and call the hotline/helpline to report the situation. Abuse on women and in the family has a direct effect on children. Children are like secondhand smokers. They witness and often become a part of the being abused or side with the abuser. It is a vicious cycle for life.
The stay-at-home or lockdown was issued for public safety to save lives from the deadly Coronavirus, but it has empowered another silent monster indoor. That monster called domestic abuse. Now there a big battle outdoors to save lives from the COVID-19 virus, while some are fighting a raging war inside the four walls of their houses.
Anumita Roy is an artist at heart and legal/medical interpreter by profession. She creates word images in her verses and loves to write short stories. Mother of children in the spectrum, she advocates special needs issues in whichever way possible. Born in India, brought up in several countries, makes her a true global citizen. She now lives in the Columbus, Ohio, with her family and follows her passion for writing and advocacy being the Managing Editor of Different Truths.
Timely article. Men too are abused. One of them compromises and a house runs. But it is a jerky terrain. The points raised are valid. Social distancing giving birth to personal distancing.
Fact written about internal terrorism. This shows how psychologically sick we are , the ego of both the partners, more of men are hurt. As the freedom they share out is curbed at home and yes obviously women to do not tolerate the nonsense as they use to, it is like ek myan mey 2 talwaren nahin reh sakti, both need space for themselves.
Domestic violence has it’s ugly face and there seems to be no end to it. The severity is to such an extent that even the UN Secretary General had to come up with an appeal on 5th April 2020, when the entire world is braving COVID – 19 pandemic, to safeguard women from domestic violence as people are confined in their homes during lockdown. This is absolutely disturbing.
In fact, the media globally is so engrossed in focusing on the pandemic that the issue of domestic violence hasn’t garnered attention. We are thankful to the author to highlight the interests of those subjected to violence including men, women n children, May God grant some wisdom to the pathetic individuals inflicting violence on their soft targets.
Well written by Anumita. The article mainly focuses on the domestic partners. But one thing that should be mentioned is that domestic abuse can take a huge psychological toll on young children. Sometimes the parents are careful about this so the abuse is played out in subtle ways through caustic remarks in front of the kids and more serious physical abuse in privacy and after the children have gone to bed.
The article analytically sums up the slippery terrain the world has been thrown into by an invisible virus. It is a tragic situation when we find ourselves caught between the devil and the deep sea and we are left with little choice . The virus is victimising the humans not only in physical terms(casualties) but in emotional and psychological terms as well. Nevertheless the situation perhaps is such that we cannot possibly do without the lockdown today.
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Timely article. Men too are abused. One of them compromises and a house runs. But it is a jerky terrain. The points raised are valid. Social distancing giving birth to personal distancing.
Fact written about internal terrorism. This shows how psychologically sick we are , the ego of both the partners, more of men are hurt. As the freedom they share out is curbed at home and yes obviously women to do not tolerate the nonsense as they use to, it is like ek myan mey 2 talwaren nahin reh sakti, both need space for themselves.
It’s very true. I have come across such cases around. Very good for the timely comment on the issue.
A very well – written article on a rising concern in present scenario.
Very well written.
An eye opener in these testing times. The abuse is gender neutral. However women mostly are the ones most affected.
A very important issue highlighted and discussed in details.
Domestic violence has it’s ugly face and there seems to be no end to it. The severity is to such an extent that even the UN Secretary General had to come up with an appeal on 5th April 2020, when the entire world is braving COVID – 19 pandemic, to safeguard women from domestic violence as people are confined in their homes during lockdown. This is absolutely disturbing.
In fact, the media globally is so engrossed in focusing on the pandemic that the issue of domestic violence hasn’t garnered attention. We are thankful to the author to highlight the interests of those subjected to violence including men, women n children, May God grant some wisdom to the pathetic individuals inflicting violence on their soft targets.
Here’s a link to the UNO appeal. webtv.un.org
Well written by Anumita. The article mainly focuses on the domestic partners. But one thing that should be mentioned is that domestic abuse can take a huge psychological toll on young children. Sometimes the parents are careful about this so the abuse is played out in subtle ways through caustic remarks in front of the kids and more serious physical abuse in privacy and after the children have gone to bed.
Very authentic and life like
The article analytically sums up the slippery terrain the world has been thrown into by an invisible virus. It is a tragic situation when we find ourselves caught between the devil and the deep sea and we are left with little choice . The virus is victimising the humans not only in physical terms(casualties) but in emotional and psychological terms as well. Nevertheless the situation perhaps is such that we cannot possibly do without the lockdown today.