Domestic violence or abuse is also known as Family Violence. This involves any form of cruelty at home meted out against usually women, children and sometimes men.
It could be in the form of physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive and sexual abuse which can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital rape and to violent physical abuse.
We must realise that some families have been able to avoid domestic/family violence because they do not spend enough time together, all thanks to their very busy schedules at work. Although perpetrators of domestic violence may still act up even with little time spent together.
Hence this Lockdown period due to Covid-19 has recorded an increased rate of domestic violence according to the United Nations.
United Nations Secretary General – Antonio Guterres has urged governments of various countries as part of measures to tackle Covid-19 to put into place systems or ways for victims to seek support and report abuse cases without alerting their abusers.
Guterres said “violence is not confined to the battlefield. For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest – in their own homes,” he said, appealing for peace in homes around the world.
He continues “we know lockdowns and quarantines are essential to suppressing Covid-19, but they can trap women with abusive partners.”
Hence governments and the relevant authorities must protect victims of domestic violence while encouraging them to report cases of abuse. It is important that everyone is safe during this lockdown. Indeed safety of lives should transcend the lockdown period.
Nikkyo's blog 
Leave a Reply