There has been a surge in the reported cases of domestic violence and there may be many more that have gone unreported
KARACHI: It is no secret that the coronavirus pandemic has brought with it a multiplicity of other problems into the lives of peoples across the globe. While some face unemployment or a pay-cut, others are suffering from severe physical and mental abuse while being quarantined in their homes. One would assume that the home is a safe haven from the epidemic, but families have turned to be highly abusive in this space especially towards women of the household.
There has been a surge in the reported cases of domestic violence and there may be many more that have gone unreported. Hotlines to report such cases have been helpful, but only to a limited extent. It has become obvious that the concern of leaders across the globe relating to the issue has been little and no resources for domestic violence victims have been allocated. A New York Times article emphasises that this situation had been anticipated when lockdowns were being implemented. However, no measures were taken. Granted that the states are occupied with the virus, but considering that we have not set an end date to the lockdowns, these cases of abuse are bound to continue.
A system to report as well as take action against abusers should be put in place which is not obstructed by the presence of the virus. Perhaps if at the level of the government this is currently difficult to do, NGOs can come together and work towards the cause. Studies have shown that during an economic crisis it is also likely for partners to murder their spouses or others.
Multiple cases of abuse have been circulating from within China and Italy which were some of the first few countries that implemented the lockdown and also reported this rise in domestic violence. The rise of rape cases in the recent past should be a good enough reason for us to take these violent acts inside the homes of people with more seriousness.
Sara Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2020.
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