The apocalyptic Coronavirus disease forced the Indian government to go under a complete nationwide lockdown from 24th March 2020. On one hand, practices like social isolation and social distancing are saving lives every day but on the other hand, these confined walls have given the perfect opportunity to abusers. For people who have strong financial base and happy families, lockdown may seem parallel to a fun holiday. However, for victims vulnerable to domestic violence, this lockdown is akin to a living nightmare.
Cases of domestic violence across India have taken a steep rise amidst the lockdown. This can be inferred from the statistics presented by the National Commission of Women (NWC) in mid-April, which indicated an almost 100% increase in domestic violence during the lockdown. Between 23rdMarch 2020 to 16thApril 2020, the NWC received 239 complaints, primarily via email and a dedicated WhatsApp number. This is almost twice the number of complaints (123) received during the period between 27th February 2020 to 22nd March 2020. The actual number of cases is likely to be higher since women are now locked in with their abusers; they may not be able to access a mobile phone, nor the space and time to call for help.
The intensified abuse is not simply a product of mandatory physical confinement but also due to factors like economic slowdown, closed business, joblessness, anxiety, fear of hunger and poverty, and an uncertain future contribute to the surging domestic abuse. While the pandemic has taken a toll on everybody, there is evidence from the past that domestic violence rises during periods of high unemployment. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, only those shops or businesses that are engaged in providing essential commodities are open. Items like liquor and cigarettes are not classified as essentials in India. Hence, it becomes difficult for people who’re addicts to survive without them. Most of these addicts get frustrated, and their wives or children become victims of their violence. Since a lot of women are also losing their jobs during the lockdown, their helplessness increases. In several instances, whatever little women earn, is given to their husband. Now, they’re unable to do so, as and when he demands. This has also escalated the violence experienced by women. In the wake of this lockdown, it is hard for the victims to physically run away and even harder for them to get any help from outside.
A lockdown heightens the ability of the abuser to isolate his victims from their friends and family, monitor their activities, and inhibit access to financial support, job opportunities, healthcare, and education. Being stuck with an abusive person, may result in increased sexual, physical, and psychological violence. These patterns can have lifelong impacts on victims and can considerably affect their mental health and well-being.
So what needs to be done? While the government is taking adequate steps to flatten the corona pandemic curve, not much has been done to flatten the shadow pandemic curve. Aggressive nationwide campaigns to increase awareness about domestic abuse, and highlighting the various ways by which complaints can be filed should be launched. News channels, radio channels, and social media platforms need to be used strategically, so that they have a widespread media outreach which empowers victims with survival strategies, and creates fear in the mind of abusers. Citizens need to be sensitized towards the heightened threats of domestic violence, and neighbourhood campaigns should be initiated to raise awareness and develop a support system. A campaign of Breakthrough (an NGO working with the aim to make the issue of domestic violence mainstream) -“Bell Bajao!” calls on boys and men to intervene by ringing the bell if they suspect domestic abuse. “StreeLink” – milo apni takat se” – a platform of Breakthrough that enables women to share their problems with other women. It also helps them get actionable and practical solutions.
If people are not able to lodge complaints through posts, messages, or calls, essential services such as grocery stores, hospitals, and medical shops need to be advised to help people get the necessary support, and send their messages to the authorities if required. Code words like- asking for ‘mask 19’ are being used by pharmacies in France and Spain to identify people who are unable to speak openly about being exploited, and needing help.
Further, easy access to police assistance to file FIR’s needs to be provided. Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, protection officers should be appointed. If this cannot be done, then temporary officers could be appointed during the lockdown period. The government should make arrangements for shelter homes if victims need to be shifted. Vacant hotels may be turned into temporary shelters in urban areas which can provide safe space away from the abuser. In rural areas, frontline health workers need to be the first point of contact for abused women, with panchayats and women’s self-help groups working jointly to provide safety and security to women.
The National Commission for Women launched a WhatsApp number – 7217735372 on 10th April 2020. A NWC member said, “This is an emergency number for women facing domestic violence complaints only, and the number has only been launched for the period of lockdown till normal offices resume.” The NWC also constituted a special team to handle these complaints on a fast track basis. “Discussions to explore the possibility of providing counselling through online and phones services; counselling in cases of complaints received is also important & all state commissions for women will nominate counsellors for activation of counselling soon. #WomenHelplineUnit #181 #112,” the NCW said in another tweet.
Some states have also devised novel solutions to ensure that people facing violence come forward. Uttar Pradesh Police launched an initiative on 22nd March titled “Suppress corona, not your voice” and a special helpline number for victims of domestic abuse.
The quietness around domestic violence needs to be broken. The pandemic has caused enough financial and economic damage, and the country cannot afford to bear the collateral damages too. So connecting and reaching out to women facing domestic violence ought to be classified as an essential service.
By Sonalika Tewari
Literary sources:
https://qz.com/india/1838351/indias-coronavirus-lockdown-leads-to-more-violence-against-women/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/locked-abusers-india-domestic-violence-surge-200415092014621.htmlhttps://www.ft.com/content/e4334e46-890b-11ea-a01c-a28a3e3fbd33
Image sources:
https://unsplash.com/@fairytailphotography
https://pixabay.com/photos/stop-fear-violence-against-women-1131142/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-sign-3951606/