Domestic Violence During Lockdown
The corona pandemic has affected the globe drastically. India with its 21 day lockdown initiative to fight coronavirus has forgotten about a seldomly mentioned but big problem called "domestic violence".
Research says that 1 out of every 3 women and 1 out of every 7 men go through some kind of domestic abuse. With countries like Spain, Italy, France and Australia reporting increases in their domestic violence cases.
India has reported 257 complaints in the first week of the lockdown.
257 looks like a big number, but is it really?
According to many organizations working for the cause, there has been a decline in the number of distress calls. But why is that? Victims are stuck in their house with their abusers 24/7, and this itself is the reason. Victims usually reach out for help when their abusers are not around but with this lockdown, it is difficult. With alcoholic husbands going into withdrawal, no way of income for many, economical uncertainty and the pervasive feeling of being trapped that we are all experiencing, there is high chance of increase in the number of abusive cases as well as the frequency of abuse. Anything can be a trigger for the abusers at this moment.
Many NGOs focusing on domestic violence cases in India have decided to check up on the victims registered with them and even provide help if needed, but what about the silent ones? What about the people who have been suffering but didn't report it before?
Silence of the already silent victims is gonna get louder.
France has decided to include protection of women against such violence and its prevention as a key part of their national response plan for COVID-19. They have also decided to give 1.1 million in aid to NGOs working for this cause along with moving all the victims to hotels for as long as is needed. They have also taken the "secret code initiative" in Spain where a woman can walk upto a pharmacy and just say "mask-19" which is a code for help.
On the other hand, India is yet to take any such initiative even though an online awareness program was launched by the government.
Statements like "I was starved as the ration will be finished quickly otherwise," or "I was thrown out of the house to catch corona and die," or "They beat me and threw me out because I sneezed," etc were reported by some victims in India(I read them in the news) which is completely outrageous and inhumane.
The whole point of writing this was to help people who are in situation. I know I am 14 days too late but I am here now. With the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases there are high chances that this lockdown will extend which will again be a trigger for the abusers.
All I am saying is that if you are a victim or you know or suspect someone who is enduring such abuse HELP THEM. Help them in any way you can. Call the national helpline number or the NGO helpline number. Hell, call any NGO I am sure they will help.
Help the victim as much as you can. Try to take them with you until external help arrives. It's never too late to help someone. They need us and we should be there.
-Simran Kalra
Research says that 1 out of every 3 women and 1 out of every 7 men go through some kind of domestic abuse. With countries like Spain, Italy, France and Australia reporting increases in their domestic violence cases.
India has reported 257 complaints in the first week of the lockdown.
257 looks like a big number, but is it really?
According to many organizations working for the cause, there has been a decline in the number of distress calls. But why is that? Victims are stuck in their house with their abusers 24/7, and this itself is the reason. Victims usually reach out for help when their abusers are not around but with this lockdown, it is difficult. With alcoholic husbands going into withdrawal, no way of income for many, economical uncertainty and the pervasive feeling of being trapped that we are all experiencing, there is high chance of increase in the number of abusive cases as well as the frequency of abuse. Anything can be a trigger for the abusers at this moment.
Many NGOs focusing on domestic violence cases in India have decided to check up on the victims registered with them and even provide help if needed, but what about the silent ones? What about the people who have been suffering but didn't report it before?
Silence of the already silent victims is gonna get louder.
France has decided to include protection of women against such violence and its prevention as a key part of their national response plan for COVID-19. They have also decided to give 1.1 million in aid to NGOs working for this cause along with moving all the victims to hotels for as long as is needed. They have also taken the "secret code initiative" in Spain where a woman can walk upto a pharmacy and just say "mask-19" which is a code for help.
On the other hand, India is yet to take any such initiative even though an online awareness program was launched by the government.
Statements like "I was starved as the ration will be finished quickly otherwise," or "I was thrown out of the house to catch corona and die," or "They beat me and threw me out because I sneezed," etc were reported by some victims in India(I read them in the news) which is completely outrageous and inhumane.
The whole point of writing this was to help people who are in situation. I know I am 14 days too late but I am here now. With the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases there are high chances that this lockdown will extend which will again be a trigger for the abusers.
All I am saying is that if you are a victim or you know or suspect someone who is enduring such abuse HELP THEM. Help them in any way you can. Call the national helpline number or the NGO helpline number. Hell, call any NGO I am sure they will help.
Help the victim as much as you can. Try to take them with you until external help arrives. It's never too late to help someone. They need us and we should be there.
-Simran Kalra
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