Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have reported an increase in domestic violence and intimate partner violence.[1] United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, noting the "horrifying global surge", has called for a domestic violence "ceasefire".[2][3] UN Women stated that COVID-19 created "conditions for abuse that are ideal for abusers because it forced people into lockdown" thus causing a "shadow pandemic" that exacerbated preexisting issues with domestic violence globally.[4]
Domestic violence and sexual exploitation, which is already an epidemic around the world, spike when households were placed under the increased strains that come from security, health and money worries, and cramped and confined living conditions. Prior to the lockdowns, it was estimated that one in three women will experience violence during their lifetimes, a human rights violation that also bears an economic cost of US$1.5 trillion.[5][6][7] Many of these women are now trapped at home with their abusers and are at increased risk of other forms of violence as overloaded healthcare systems and disrupted justice services struggle to respond.[5][6][7] Women especially essential and informal workers, such as doctors, nurses and street vendors are at heightened risk of violence as they navigate deserted urban or rural public spaces and transportation services under lockdown.[5][6][7]
More domestic violence helplines and shelters around the world are reporting rising calls for help.In a number of countries, domestic violence reports and emergency calls have surged upwards of 25 per cent since social distancing measures were enacted. Such numbers are also likely to reflect only the worst cases.[5][6][7] In Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, government authorities, women's rights activists and civil society partners have flagged increasing reports of domestic violence during the crisis, and heightened demand for emergency shelter.[5][8][7] The European Parliament issued a press release addressing the issue writing "we won't leave Europe's women alone" and asked member states to increase support to domestic violence victims during the pandemic.[9]
Impact on ability to access help[edit]
Prior to the lockdowns, less than 40 percent of the women who experienced violence sought help of any sort. Now, quarantine and movement restrictions further serve to isolate many women trapped with their abusers from friends, families and other support networks. And, the closure of non-essential businesses means that work no longer provides respite for many survivors and heightened economic insecurity makes it more difficult for them to leave. For those who do manage to reach out, overstretched health, social, judicial and police services are struggling to respond as resources are diverted to deal with the pandemic.[5][8][7]
Displaced people[edit]
Displaced populations in crowded refugee camps, and reported domestic violence has tripled recently in some countries practicing social distancing. As the lockdowns take a foothold, we are witnessing increased rates of gender-based violence in public spaces in addition to domestic violence.[5][8][7]
Projections of future rates of domestic violence[edit]
In the immediate term, the largest contributor is likely to come from the effects of stay-at-home orders and movement restrictions, which could increase women's exposure to violent partners. Mounting household tensions and economic stresses could also play a role. There are already indications that violence incidence is indeed growing, including increases in calls to violence prevention hotlines and media reports of rising domestic abuse and homicide.[98] Projections by UNFPA show that if violence increases by 20 per cent during periods of lockdown, there would be an additional 15 million cases of intimate partner violence in 2020 for an average lockdown duration of 3 months, 31 million cases for an average lockdown of 6 months, 45 million for an average lockdown of 9 months, and 61 million if the average lockdown period were to be as long as one year.[98]
Sources[edit]
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (license statement/permission). Text taken from Explainer: How COVID-19 impacts women and girls, UN Women.