After the first case of unknown cause pneumonia, which turned out to be outbreak in the world. WHO is working non-stop to analyze data, providing advice and coordinating with other countries to control the pandemic. On 30.01.2020, the outbreak was declared by WHO and the lockdown initiated by the government of each countries to protect their citizens and to break the Covid-19 infection cycle.
In India from 24.03.2020, the 21 days lockdown was began which with the time extended further. The lockdown was the preventive measure taken by the government against Covid-19, but during the situation of pandemic are we really protected from other Gordian knots. Though during the lockdown crime rate has been reduced but certain crimes which start from one’s own family i.e. domestic violence has only been increasing during this period.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic many countries have reported an increase in domestic violence. The UN Secretary- General, Amina Mohammed stated-“Women across the world are suffering even more due to the extra economic and social stresses caused by a radical shift away from normal life. This stress is leading to an increased danger of violence”.
It’s clear that when women are ‘locked down’ in their homes with abusive partners, they are at much greater risk than ever before. But this upsurge in violence is not limited to women and definitely not limited to one country or one region. Media reports are documenting an increase in violence across the globe. In many countries calls to the helpline were double in this year as they were in last year. And the worry is that these figures only reflect reporting. In the case of restricted movement and limited privacy, victims of domestic abuse are finding it difficult to phone for help. So, the likelihood is that even these figures represent only a fraction of the problem. They are also reflective of countries that have reporting systems in place. The availability of data is not the same everywhere, particularly in developing countries.
One of the countries where domestic abuse cases are spiked during lockdown is India. In India National Commission of Women (NCW) has spotted more than twofold rise in domestic violence during the lockdown. Between 23 March and 16 April NCW has registered 587 domestic violence complaints, a 45% increase in last 25 days. Even the NGO, All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice (AICHLS), has claimed that there were increasing number of domestic violence incidents since the nation was put under lockdown and sought an urgent intervention by the court.
After the lockdown every single day the volunteers working in this field has received numerous cases of domestic abuse, what is more shocking is that these violence and abuse is not just against women by their in-laws or their partners but it’s against every vulnerable person who has been confined with the abusers in their home.
Since, the lockdown has initiated news of domestic violence and killings have increased rapidly in India. People are even more scared to seek help from others in this situation with a threat that their abusers will be alarmed. During lockdown or before it whenever the word domestic violence is used in front of people, by design they assume that women are the victims but truth is far from these assumptions. There are many common misunderstandings that what is domestic violence and during lockdown a clear picture has come in front of us i.e. that domestic abuse victims can be anyone. Meaning of domestic abuse in general is a “systematic pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over the other person”. Domestic violence happens to people in all walks of life regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, education, profession or socio-economic status.
One in four person experience some form of domestic violence during their lifetime either directly as victim of abuse or by witnessing as children. Domestic violence can be experienced by any age individual and even senior citizens including men. A frequent misconception is that domestic violence includes bodily harm, often it involves physical violence but frequently it also involves emotional abuse, economic abuse and spiritual abuse. In addition to physical violence, which is not present in every abusive relationship, common tools of abuse include isolation from friends, family and employment; constant surveillance; strict, detailed rules for behavior; and restrictions on access to such basic necessities as food, clothing and sanitary facilities. A wife not doing any household chores during lockdown and husband is left to fend for himself is a form of a domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse against any vulnerable person has become a common phenomenon. But domestic abuse against elder/geriatric people is a major problem which often goes undetected. Latest available resources addressing elder/geriatric people domestic abuse has considerably increased during quarantine. Elder/geriatric people experience various physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect. It is evident in the history of India that domestic violence has its deep root in our society for many years weaker community has been exploited and violated by the stronger community. This is one of the most disturbing scenarios.
But what has become more serious issue that during lockdown what intricacy government is facing; how we can solve this issue and what measures can be provided to victims of domestic violence.
COMPLEXITY & FACTORS OF SITUATION:
UN has observed not just a huge increase in the number of women being abused but also a greater complexity to the violence being perpetrated. Women who are suspected, however erroneously, of exposure to the coronavirus, are faced with being thrown out onto the street in the midst of lockdown.
Similar data was received from other regions as well where children have also experienced and witnessed domestic violence during this lockdown. Further, in many regions parents have suffered domestic abuse form the hands of their violent children. Abusers are taking advantage of isolation measures knowing that their victims are unable to call for help or escape. All of this is happening against a backdrop of health and social services that are overwhelmed, under-resourced, and have shifted to manage the implications of the virus.
Civil society organizations which may have previously helped victims of violence are unable to operate. And the domestic violence shelters that have been able to remain open are often full; shelter managers are not well equipped and scared to take in new victims because of the virus. Responding to the rise in violence is further complicated by the fact the institutions are already under a huge strain from the demands of dealing with the pandemic. Also, things doesn’t simply stop here, many organizations doesn’t have enough volunteers or helpers as they are terrified of getting themselves getting exposed to virus.
Shelters and Protection Officers that are supposed to protect women from domestic violence, many are weak and underfunded to begin with, and straining to respond to the increased demand. Even calling on emergency helpline numbers is also not much help as police officials are overstretched in the quarantine.
FACTORS FOR INCREASING CASES:
The foremost factor of this issue is that major population is panic-stricken. Rather than understanding how this Covid-19 works or what is it exactly, people are afraid and panicked of this situation due to which victims of domestic violence are unable to find any help from either police or from close associated people.
There are several factors for why domestic violence takes place in society like Gender inequality, rigid adherence to gender roles, attitudes norms behavior and practices that support violence. Family and domestic violence cases are very complex phenomenon it occurs in numbers of ways it is not simply related to one issue but that certainly all of the best evidence we have in front of us in the form of case filed in the court which suggests that entitlement of power the one wants to feel is a significant factor underlying violence against vulnerable people.
The factor during quarantine which has given an alarming rise in domestic violence cases is frustration setting in people who are sitting at their house and can’t go anywhere which in turn taken out on women, children or any feeble person. Further, the event of loosing job, financial crisis, and same repeated routines these are the trigger points for the increase cases of domestic abuse during quarantine. It is a shame that some of the causes are petty, but we have learned during the years that these factors contribute to an extent to the seriousness of these abuses; the major cause is power and control over the other person. We live in society where one individual wants to control and dominate the other to feel that he/she is in power.
MEASURES TAKEN TO PROTECT THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE:
In wake of reports of an increase in domestic violence during
lockdown many organization working in preventing domestic violence have been
urged to take immediate steps. Governments of different countries have in variety tried to
handle the situation of domestic abuse and prevent its victim from it.
Governments have come up with new ways to tackle domestic violence in the times of restriction imposed due to lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic.
India is fighting head on in this regard. We are already aware that how Indian government was the first one to take quickest impeded measure to reduce the rate of coronavirus and subsequently break its chain. Nevertheless, Indian government has also taken some measures to control the domestic abuse against women. During the hearing before Delhi High Court on 18.04.2020, the Delhi government and Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) had told the court that there are sufficient measures in place to safeguard victims of domestic violence and child abuse amidst the COVID-19 lockdown in the country. The Women and Child Development department had told the court that sufficient facilities were available to house victims of domestic violence and children in need of care and protection.
NCW has launched a whatsapp number and published an email address for women during lockdown. One in every six new complaints during the lockdown has been made over these two modes of communication.
Delhi High Court has directed the central government, Delhi government and other authorities to convene a meeting at the highest level to consider the issue of protection of women against domestic violence during the current nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Even the different states are coming forward and implementing measures to control the domestic abuse during lockdown. In Tamil Nadu, protection officers, appointed by the state are allowed movement during lockdown and some of the victims in dangerous situations were rescued and moved to shelters. Chennai- based International foundation for crime prevention and victim care diverted calls from its landlines to counselor’s mobile, helped victims submit documents they needed to save a cloud based service and started a Whatsapp service.
Kerala government on Saturday launched a WhatsApp
number to report cases of domestic violence in the state, which have been on
the rise during the coronavirus lockdown. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi
Vijayan said complaints can be made to the number which will be available 24
hours.
In Rajasthan NGO-Vishakha, that supports working migrant’s women, has been able to implement outreach programmed for victim affected by domestic abuse. With the help of local block administration, NGO has arranged for vehicle passes for their staff members, who are working to supply rations and provide legal aid to victims who contact them. Many NGO is also using social media as a platform to relay their message to victims and many organizations has received complaints through social media’s post.
Various commissions also agreed to identify training institutes to train volunteers who can assist victim of domestic abuse in distress under lockdown. NCW and many other organizations are promptly responding to complaints via mails and tweets.
STEPS TAKEN BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN CONTROLLING THE DOMESTIC INCIDENTS DURING QUARANTINE:
During this chaos government and many Civil society organization are doing their best to protect victims of domestic abuse and provide them some aid but government and police officials, hands are full at this time and they are unable to overstretch themselves.
Government has shared whatsapp numbers, email address, post on social media so that victims of domestic abuse can reach out for help. But a large number of populations come under the poverty line that are not literate and are not well equipped like other people. Numerous victims especially in the semi urban rural kind of setting do not know how to operate emails or send message to save themselves or seek any help. Many people were reaching out by writing letters to NCW as complaints which are not coming in as post offices are closed due to lockdown.
Now, to provide aid to these people who belong from urban rural area or slum areas many Organizations have created support groups for their safety. These groups are asking neighbors, family members to check in as much as they can to set up a secret sign to let these women know they can approach to these people and support groups.
Domestic violence during lockdown is not a social class issue, this is an issue that can be in every neighborhood and in every posh apartment building as well so, ordinary people like us can be vigilant and if we hear something out of the ordinary without being hesitant we can call police. This way, people who are victim to such domestic abuse can feel that somebody is watching them and is there by their side. As more awareness we can create as more these women feel supported and more these abusers feel watched so we all can do something like solidarity and support.
CONCLUSION:
Millions around the world has been forced into isolation as governments try to protect the most vulnerable, the old and the sick people from Covid-19 but these lockdowns have exposed another category of vulnerable people, what they fear most i.e. domestic abuse. People are being locked in with their abusers.
Being confined to one place, the houses have been converted into a jail and Staying there has become a death sentence for some people. Major population has been protected from covid-19 by the lockdown but many people lives have been imperiled by the hands of their abusers during this lockdown. Not everyone is able to move to shelter, as there is dilemma of living in communal space with the threat of Covid-19 plus the physical distancing measure issued by public health agencies are limiting space in the safe havens.
What I have learned from going through all cases of domestic violence globally and nationally is that the term domestic violence is often used in regard of women. In our society whenever term domestic violence is used people start acting biased and held responsible men in this regard. Our Indian history is evident that from ages women have been the subject of cruelty and violence within their homes. Individual has tendency to exploit anybody who is weaker to them. Women are considered weaker community for man to exploit, harass and abuse them physically and emotionally. And I agree women are the major victims of domestic violence because they are vulnerable, everybody has their own truth and this is the one side of the truth. But during quarantine we were able to see the wider picture in respect to domestic violence; during the development and protection of women we forgot the true nature of domestic violence. In general domestic means any family relation within the home, which includes without human intervention every single member of the family despite of their gender and age. The victim of domestic violence within the domestic can be a male, female, children or elder people; people who became victim of the domestic violence are vulnerable people who are unable to protect themselves or most importantly they are not even aware that they are being domestically abused by their abusers. Violence within the house has become a general issue which can be seen in every other house. `Violence against vulnerable people is already a significant public health safety emergency in across the world so; the pandemic is just exaggerating.
In my opinion during this difficult and stressful times where throughout, the nation there is rapid increase in cases of Covid-19, police officials are bombarded in protecting people and breaking the chain of covid-19. Providing assistance and legal aid to victims of domestic abuse is also important in this scenario, police officials can join hands with NGO and other civil society organizations and decentralized support for the vulnerable people.
Due to the social distancing from the protection of covid-19, government will have to provide sufficient number of shelters for the victims of domestic violence; establishing a coordination centre to help victims receive medical help.
Governments are working hard enough but they are in need of more funding in general for this topic but at moment situation is very dynamic it’s like with the other health care organization it’s unfolding in front of our eyes and we don’t know what the peak will look like. We have to work together in this stressful time and try to contact as many families, friends and spread general safety plans to the victims.
