Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic abuse cases have increased by 30-40% around the world. In a time when staying home means protecting one’s self against the COVID-19 virus, for the vulnerable group of individuals experiencing domestic violence, staying home does not mean staying safe.
Governments and medical experts around the world suggest distancing between people in order to stop the spread and keep those who are most vulnerable to the virus, safe. While for the vast majority of people this is an ideal way to try and stay safe, for those experiencing domestic abuse, the situation is far from ideal. Not only does it make it even more difficult for victims to escape or seek help, but it also provides abusers with numerous opportunities to intimidate and instill fear in their victims.
Some ways that COVID restrictions can empower the abuser and impact intimate partner violence survivors include:
- Abusive partners may withhold necessary items, such as hand sanitizer, disinfectants, or even food and medication.
- Abusive partners may share misinformation about the pandemic to control or frighten survivors, or to prevent them from seeking appropriate medical attention.
- Programs that serve survivors have been significantly impacted – shelters are full or cutting down on how many people they intake to prevent the spread of COVID.
- Survivors who are older or have chronic conditions are at increased risk in public places where they would typically receive support, like shelters, counselling centres, or courthouses.
- It may not be safe for the victims, especially those who fall into the high-risk category due to their health, to use public transportation or to fly, thus impacting their ability to escape safely.
- An abusive partner may feel more justified and escalate their isolation tactics.
- The distance and inability for people to meet one another makes it harder for the victims to seek help from their family and friends without compromising their safety.
Despite the pandemic, trying to provide safety for women and children who themselves are facing a different kind of pandemic remains of utmost importance.. Although we may not see it, thousands are suffering at the hands of people who are supposed to protect them, which is only worsened by the COVID restrictions.
Here are some things that you can do to help the vulnerable women and children of the community who are now in further danger:
Regularly Connect with Loved Ones. While staying at home can lead to feelings of isolation, regularly connecting with loved ones through phone and video calls can help lessen the stress and isolation of these trying times. Not only can a phone call help with building emotional connection, but it can also provide a domestic abuse victim with the opportunity they need to ask for help.
Signal for Help, an online initiative supported by Canadian Women’s Foundation, suggests using a simple hand gesture that can be shown via video call for the victims of abuse to let their loved ones know they are in need of help, without leaving a digital trail. Spread this signal (link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCOeIF4J1Vz/ ) to as many people as possible so that more women can get the help they need in these already trying times.
Donate. Your donation can help shelters like Nisa Homes provide women and children who are fleeing domestic violence with safety, shelter and resources. To donate, visit nisahomes.com/donate.
Whether it’s lending a listening ear or donating in order to make shelters available with the best of support, your every small effort makes a significant difference in the lives of the women and children who are affected by domestic violence.
