Domestic Violence impact with Covid-19

Domestic violence is still an issue and at these times perhaps it is at its speaking. In speaking with a domestic violence charity in the UK it has seen of 400% increase in calls from women to seek help from their group. The UK newspaper, the Guardian, has reported that “domestic abuse killings has "more than double" amid Covid-19 lockdown”.

The founder of a local charity in the UK "Counting Dead Women" that takes care of domestic violence, Karen Ingala Smith said that there were “16 killings between 23 March and 12 April”. She pleaded the UK government for more funds in order for these NGOs to be sustained and help vulnerable women.

Much can be said about the situation of domestic violence in turkey with an increase of “38.2 percent” in cases.

With movement restrictions domestic violence cases has increased worldwide as now people are obliged to stay at home. In a post on New York Times said that the United Nations called on Sunday for urgent action to combat the worldwide surge in domestic violence.  I urge all governments to put "women’s safety first" as they respond to the pandemic.

In Malta the situation is expected to be the same like many other European countries. In an interview on 103 FM by Fr Joe Borg with Bishop Galea Curmi he said that: 

“quarantine, for these families,exacerbates problems. He encouraged all those who are victims of domestic violence to file reports and to seek help rather than suffer in silence and do nothing.”

The latest murder case of domestic violence where Chantelle Chetcuti was “murdered due to domestic violence” on February 2^nd, seems to be forgotten but people are still suffering and now even more with this partial lockdown imposed where for some women their homes is not safe to live in for 24 hours 7 days a week. They need their time off from their partner by going to work and going out leisurely. These problems are still out there and must be tackled.

In the UK other NGOs has seen a “worrying drop” in people that are reporting cases of domestic violence. This does not mean that the cases are lower. This means that women are not finding free time from their abusive partner in order to call. They describe domestic violence as a pressure cooker ready to be boiled. Rachel Williams “who was "shot by her husband" at the hair salon where she worked back in November 2012” said that “vulnerable people will "feel more isolated" now more than ever.”

“Perpetrators would spend normally sometime of the day in work and socializing and that is a breathing space for the abuser,” the founder of "Stand Up to Abuse" said. Nazir Afzal who is the domestic abuse advisor for the Welsh Government said that abuse has "already increased" around the world. Experts said that due to loss of jobs and anxiety problems because of the much needed income to the families could create or increase the risk of domestic violence.

Ms Williams continued to say that it will be a pandemic over a pandemic. We are focusing too much on coronavirus and we might have missed other day to day wars that we are continually fighting because of this new war. The Welsh Government said its Live Fear Free helpline will remain open 24/7 and reminded people "if someone is in immediate danger, they should contact 999". Ms Williams wants communities to look out for those who could be experiencing domesticviolence and said that:

"If you think your friend or neighbour is being abused, now might be the time they want help, If you're doing their shopping as they're in isolation and you suspect they're being abused, pass them a discreet note if it's safe - now we have to be more vigilant than ever of domestic violence."