Domestic violence also known as family violence is a form of violent, abusive or intimidating behavior in a relationship including emotional, sexual, social, financial, spiritual and physical abuse. It involves a pattern of psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. Acts of assault, threats, humiliation, and intimidation are also considered acts of violence.
The nationwide lockdown has been imposed by the government since March 24 in order to stem the infection of the COVID-19 pandemic and now has been enforced the changed modality. On the next hand, violence against women and children is on the rise in Nepal amid the COVID-19 lockdown, according to reports.
Experts say a lack of social activities and financial pressures are increasing rifts within families. It has been predicted by the gender rights groups in escalating rise in domestic violence since women and girls are trapped at home with their abusers. They have also shared that the numbers are much more alarming than expected.
Although home is considered a safe place for all, however during the lockdown period there has been a surge in cases of domestic violence. All over the world, victims of domestic violence are more vulnerable and at risk to a frighteningly new degree of violence. In addition to violation of human rights, victims of domestic violence can face several physical and mental health difficulties such as risk of chronic disease, depression, sexual disorders, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and substance abuse. Children too have increased vulnerability to domestic violence during this time. Increased stress levels, anxiety, job insecurity, financial worry, and other such emotions of parents can be predictor of abuse.
In contrary to this, due to disconnection from social support systems, there are increased risk of domestic violence cases during these times. As a result, there are fewer options to find safety or help for victims. Normally, the victim could flee a violent situation by staying elsewhere, but that option is also not available right now. On the other hand, survivors are also experiencing challenges in accessing services due to limited movement and access to health services. Data shows that gender-based violence has become a ‘shadow pandemic’ in Nepal including many parts of the world.
According to data collected by the Women Rehabilitation Center (WOREC) through its three hotlines and 28 psycho-social counselors, a number of 176 cases of violence against girls and women during the lockdown between March 24 and May 1 has been recorded. Of the cases, 103 are related to domestic violence, 15 are to social violence, 26 are related to rape and five are attempted rape. One murder, two are either murders and suicides (under investigation), seven of sexual harassment, 11 suicide cases, two of attempted murder and two cases relating to cybercrime were registered in the WOREC. Nepal Police data shows that there were 211 reported complaints of child sexual abuse nationwide in 2018-19, whereas there were 48 cases in the WOREC data for only 6 weeks of the lockdown period in just 18 of Nepal’s 77 districts. A report published by the National Women Commission discloses that 604 cases of domestic violence took place in Nepal during a two-month lockdown period, out of which 139 were related to abuse of women. The most surprising part is that most perpetrators are family members.
In this way women have been facing all kinds of difficulties from violence to rape and torture. There is a need of a mechanism capable of addressing the possible cases of violence against women during the lockdown. There must be separate space for those women and girls recommended for quarantine.
It is advisable to keep a friend, family, neighbor or someone in proximity informed in case of escalating risk. It is also helpful to discuss this with trusted family members or friends and build perpetrator accountability. Several helplines for domestic violence and free online counselling websites that victims can use for relief should be managed effectively. So far, government, concerned authorities, civil society, institutions and individuals should put collective effort to monitor issues of violence in their respective areas.
