By SARAH CHUKUKERE
Currently the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered an alarming surge in domestic violence or family violence (which is different forms of abuse or intimidation in relationship). Reports emerging from different countries range from abusers preventing healthcare and emergency workers from going to work, to spouses being thrown out because they show flu like symptoms, there has been global concerns and action to deal with this situation but can more be done?
The United Nations secretary-general has reported a “horrifying” global surge in domestic-based violence linked to COVID-19, and calls to helplines in some countries have reportedly doubled.
Since mid-March, the U.S. has received more than 2,000 calls from individuals citing COVID-19 as a condition of their abuse, part of an alarming surge in such reports in countries where residents are in pandemic-related lockdowns. 25 organisations that support domestic violence victims were surveyed in the UK in the last week of March and they have all reported an increase in reports of domestic violence.
In Nigeria the story is the same. Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, revealed that since the lockdown started, the number of domestic violence cases increased from two (2) to fifteen (15) daily.
“We are keeping data through our USSD channels, social media and dedicated numbers where people can report” she stated.
Lockdowns have proved to be an effective tool for battling the pandemic, but they have also exposed gender inequalities, economic hardships and the threats to women across the world.
“Over the past weeks, as the economic and social pressures and fear have grown, we have seen a horrifying surge in domestic violence,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently said.
In some countries, he added, “the number of women calling support services has doubled.”
Ironically, the “stay at home” order was to protect families from contracting the disease but, it has been a difficult and anxious period for everyone and more people need protection within the home.
Things like the physical restriction, inadequate space, lack of recreational alternatives, boredom, unequal sharing of labor, fear of inability to meet family responsibilities, fear of job loss and the future (which are all health, social and financial consequences of Covid-19) could lead to increase sensitivity and irritability, which could lead to aggression and lack/loss of usual tolerance.
All these could precipitate domestic violence and worsen it where it existed in milder forms.
The current quarantine/stay-at-home measures enforced globally make the living situation for victims with abusive partners difficult, as they may use the covid-19 pandemic as:
● An excuse to overpower or restrict access to resources or display violent behaviour towards the partner.
● The quarantine could also add pressure due to the disruption of livelihoods and school closures.
● Abusive partners could also manipulate Covid-19 information in order to control spouses or victims.
What to do in abusive live-in situations
Even though no two (2) situations are exactly the same, here are some tips on how to protect/support yourself if you are victim of domestic violence.
1. Calm down and do not panic; irrational fear leads to irrational responses
2. Only get news from a valid original source like the news and limit your consumption of the news to twice daily.
3. Do some relaxation exercises like deep breathing or yoga to ease some tension to enable you connect your mind and body.
4. Discuss your worries, difficulties and your coping mechanisms with family members and others around you, this may help them also support you.
5. Maintain a daily routine and apply any other strategies you have used before to diffuse tense situations.
6. Maintain communications and seek support from friends, family, neighbors or co-workers.
7. Create weapon free zones in the house that do not have sharp objects.
It is also good to have a SAFETY PLAN for emergency situations which includes:
1. Important numbers to call written down including friends, family, local NGOS working with domestic violence victims.
2. Important documents that you may need to leave with, like passports or certificates.
3. Some money if you can spare it.
4. An exit strategy to leave the house noting all the doors & windows.
Please, note that partners involved In domestic violence may try to downplay the seriousness and try to confuse their partners.
So, if you feel threatened DO NOT KEEP SILENT, reach out or call someone as soon as possible. Below are links to some local (Nigerian) & international helplines & agencies that help victims of domestic violence.
Stay Safe and be Kind❤
- http://onegeria.com/2017/09/resources-domestic-violence-agencies-nigeria.html
https://www.mediaconcern.net/spd
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_domestic_violence_hotlines
https://fida.org.ng
