{"id":7434,"date":"2020-04-06T19:58:02","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T14:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/triumphias.com\/blog\/?p=7434"},"modified":"2023-04-10T18:20:01","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T12:50:01","slug":"covid-19-and-the-surge-in-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/triumphias.com\/blog\/covid-19-and-the-surge-in-domestic-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 and the surge in Domestic Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

COVID-19 and the surge in Domestic Violence<\/h1>\n

Relevance: Sociology:\u00a0Violence against women.Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour. & G.S paper I: Society and social issues: Women Empowerment<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

CONTEXT<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"True
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

World Health Organisation\u00a0(WHO) has said that cases of domestic violence across the globe have seen a spike amid lockdowns.\u00a0Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO has asked countries to take measures to curb the menace of domestic violence. “There is never any excuse for violence,” said Ghebreyesus.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

GLOBAL SCENARIO<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Since the beginning of the lockdown imposed by several governments to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, domestic violence cases have increased immensely.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A large reason for this is that where victims previously found space to breathe, whether at work or for social reasons, they are now spending all their time at home with their abusers. Likewise, children are not able to attend school, which many parents consider a safety net.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Governments all over the world are receiving more and more calls for help, as victims of domestic violence fear for their own and for their children\u2019s health and well-being.<\/p>\n

In France,<\/strong> domestic violence has risen by 36%, including two cases of femicide, since the beginning of the lockdown. To help tackle this, the government has announced that it will be paying for victims to stay in hotels, whilst pop-up counselling centres will be installed in shops in the hope that women out buying groceries will be able to access them easily.<\/p>\n

In the United Kingdom<\/strong> the police are encouraging victims to use what they are calling a silent call: by calling the emergency number 999 and then dialling 55 the police say that they will recognise the call as \u201ca cause for concern\u201d.<\/p>\n

In Australia,<\/strong> Prime Minister Scott Morisson announced a 75% rise in Google searches for help since the start of the lockdown. And The government has given a S$142\u00a0million boost in funding to tackle domestic violence<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIA<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In India too, there has been a rise in domestic violence cases as the country undergoes the 21-day lockdown. National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha\u00a0Sharma\u00a0said that they have received 257 complaints since the lockdown started till April 2, out of which 69 were domestic violence.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Economics<\/p>\n

Definition:<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Ganley and Schecter<\/strong> domestic violence is defined as a\u00a0 pattern of coercive and assaultive behaviors that include physical, sexual verbal and psychological attacks and economic coercion that adult\/ adolescence used against the intimate partner.<\/strong><\/span>
\nHere partners can be anyone either they may be married or unmarried, Heterosexual, gay or lesbian, living together, separated or dating.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The protection of women from domestic violence act 2005 defines domestic violence as domestic violence includes actual abuse or the threat of abuse that is physical, sexual verbal, emotional and economical. Harassment by the way of unlawful dowry demand to the women of her relatives would also be covered under this definition.<\/p>\n

The following are the forms of abuse committed.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. withholding money<\/li>\n
  2. stopping \u00a0A spouse from getting a job<\/li>\n
  3. threatening physical harm<\/li>\n
  4. sexual assault<\/li>\n
  5. name calling or put-downs<\/li>\n
  6. keeping the spouse from contacting one\u2019s family or friends<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0Types of domestic abuse:<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

    The following four types of abuse were recognized one criminal or physical assault that maybe by hitting, pushing etc second sexual abuse which can happen with the use of unwanted or forced sexual activity third is \u00a0emotional or psychological abuse \u00a0and the fourth is economic financial abuse which can lead to criminal violence<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Physical violence<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      WHO defined physical violence<\/strong> as the intentional use of physical force or Power, threatened or actual, against oneself another person or against a group or community that either result in or have high likelihood of resulting in injury , death, psychological harm Mal- development or deprivation.
      \nIt also includes denying the victim\u00a0 medical care whenever needed or depriving him or her of sleep or other functions necessary to leave or forcing him or her to engage in drugs or alcohol use against his or her will.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Sexual abuse<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Sexual violence\u00a0 is a situation in which one forces or pose a threat to obtain participation in unwanted sexual activity It is also considered equivalent to rape .coercing a person to engage in sexual activity against his \/her will even if that person is a spouse(spousal or marital rape) or intimate partner with whom consensual sex has an occurred is an act of violence.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Emotional\/ psychological abuse:<\/strong><\/em><\/span>
          \nemotional abuse mainly happens from Verbal means .It includes controlling his or her partner making oneself feel that they are of low Esteem, withholding information, blackmailing, denying money or other basic resources and necessity required to carry out day to day activities, etc. The abuse make oneself suffer from depression which ultimately leads to an increased risk of suicide ,eating disorders, drug\u00a0 and alcohol abuse.<\/li>\n
        2. Economic or financial violence<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          This includes controlling his or her partner from acquiring economic resources. The main motive behind this is if one is made\u00a0\u00a0 deprived\u00a0 of economic resources then he or she will definitely depend on the controlled person .<\/p>\n

          This also includes a close watch on ones spending using one\u2019s money without their concern or creating a havoc in\u00a0resource acquisition ,limiting the amount of resources ,denying employment opportunities available to them maintaining or advancing careers. All of these can be termed as examples of economic violence.<\/p>\n

          \u00a0What are the probable causes for domestic violence?<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

          \"Family:<\/p>\n

          According to the UN Commission on state of women in its Vienna declaration based on empirical evidence the following can be sorted as a reasons for domestic violence check out\u00a0national integration<\/p>\n