The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the world in so many ways. While the world learns to adapt to a new normal, it is still ignoring one crucial group, and this passivity has led to what some are calling, “a shadow pandemic.” While globally, other types of crimes decreased during the Coronavirus lockdowns, there has been, unfortunately, a commensurate increase in domestic violence cases.

During this era of quarantine, women and children have been most at risk of death because of an inability to escape or reach out for help. Anecdotally, there have been reports of abusers threatening to lock victims out of their homes with the claim that they will be exposed to and contract the deadly Coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Fear and intimidation are the hallmarks of abusers, who ‘weaponize’ lies and manipulation to keep their victims quiet.

Statistical figures on the number of domestic abuse cases that occur annually are difficult to compile because the victims are often ashamed to report it. Abusers depend upon their victims’ feelings of complicity and responsibility for their abuse. All of which contribute to the difficulty in gather data about the number of domestic violence cases pre-coronavirus lockdown. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, here in the United States, the organization reported receiving an average of 1,800 to 2,000 contacts a day from March through April of 2020.

According to UN Women, “It is estimated that 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives. However, some national studies show that up to 70 percent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Evidence shows that women who have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence report higher rates of depression, having an abortion, and acquiring HIV, compared to women who have not.”

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global epidemic. Female genital mutilation (FMG), child marriages, and rape fall under its rubric. There has been an observable correlation between pandemic health emergencies and increased gender-based violence. In a July 2015 Oxfam International report on the impact of Ebola, “22.9 percent of respondents reported that cases of GBV were still happening even during the Ebola crisis. Respondents in urban areas were more likely (32 percent) to acknowledge the existence of GBV than those in rural areas (24 percent). Different forms of GBV took place, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, etc. …The assessment found that 52.6 percent of respondents recognized that women and girls had been bearing a greater burden in the household since the Ebola outbreak began.”

These conditions that exacerbated domestic abuse and GBV seemed confined to Africa are now being seen in the United States and Europe since the spread of coronavirus. A variety of factors contribute to the increase in violence: primarily victims confinement in government-mandated isolation with their abusers, additional household stress, and those who were ready to reach out for help can no longer do so safely. The National Domestic Violence website has a pop-up warning for individuals seeking help “Safety Alert: Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear.” This effort is a means to encourage continued engagement but provides them with protection from controlling, tech-savvy abusers.

Women and girls have also borne the caretaking duties during this pandemic, and in countries with more deeply rooted patriarchal societies, access to help is impossible. These women lack access to phones and computers, and often the family and community tightly control their movements.  In this new world where governments are making decisions about what elements of society are essential and nonessential, many services like shelters, reproductive health clinics, and counseling are relegated to the latter. Throughout the Continent, law enforcement resources are enforcing strict city and country lockdowns. Like their U.S. and European counterparts, they are less concerned with responding to domestic violence calls unless there is evidence of clear and present danger and a probable life or death situation.

During this global pandemic, victims of GBV need our help, and it is incumbent upon society to be more vigilant and diligent in supporting them during these challenging times. We must no longer turn a blind eye or expect other people or organizations to help. As citizens, it is our responsibility and social contract to support women who may be experiencing domestic and gender-based violence without judgment.

Find discrete ways to check on friends and family who you suspect might be in trouble. If necessary, help them with cover stories and code words so that they can become survivors instead of victims. If feasible, please donate to women’s shelters because they are best equipped to help women and children safely escape dangerous situations. In these times of economic hardship, these organizations are in dire need of private and public support. Every dollar counts, and if you are in a position to help please do so.  

RELATED ARTICLES

• How Domestic Abuse Has Risen Worldwide Since Coronavirus  (nytimes.com)

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

• 6 months of coronavirus lockdown could mean 31 million more cases of domestic violence UN says (cbsnews.com)

• As Cities Around the World Go on Lockdown, Victims of Domestic Violence Look for a Way Out

  (time.com)

• Measures to control the spread of coronavirus are a nightmare for victims of domestic violence. Advocates are demanding governments step up.  (washingtonpost.com)