Shadow pandemic

Domestic violence has been called the “shadow pandemic” of today’s times. It is all the

more relevant for us as progressive citizens since women (and men) are being stuck in houses

with their abusers. Mental and moral gaslighting is bad enough and if physical trauma is added to

the same it makes it ten times worse. People all around the world are trying to normalise the

dialogue around mental health for both men and women however some part of our immediate

society refuses to budge under the pretext that mental health issues are just too petty to be given

any importance. Women have been morally and mentally tortured by keeping them in isolation

by their husbands under the guise of protecting them from the current wave of Coronavirus. It

has been reported to the national domestic Violence Hotline (overseas) that a woman has been

threatened to be locked out if she tried to go outside or seek help in any way. Covid-19 is the

new tool for separating a victim from family, friends and resources which might be of use to

them.

This trend has penetrated our country as well since abusers are now threatening to oust

the victims so that they catch the disease and die. Matters are further aggravated by abusers

withholding medical assistance and financial resources. According to Anita Bhatia who is the

Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations it is the social isolation that is weakening the

morale of victims since the abusers are taking this as an opportunity to become crueller. The

lockdown is hence a double-edged sword as the very precautions taken by millions of people all

across the world from Europe to Asia is all set to throw victims at the mercy of their abusers.

Domestic violence as it is is something that is lesser reported by victims even if one out of every

three women has already experienced it. Women in India think it is a part of their family values

to justify the behaviour of the abusers which mostly is their husband. Women have topped the

list of being victims however men too can be victims. Shocking incidents such as men being

drugged and raped (by women) have also surfaced in the past as LGBTQIA people also face

tremendous violence domestically.

Places like China have also shown an increase in the number of cases in 2020 when

compared to that of the previous year which was 2019. Social activists have already called it the

result of prolonged periods of enforced lockdown. Domestic violence is nothing but a

manifestation of misplaced control and power where the abusers feel that they are unable to take

control of their life and hence they can take it out on their victims. Unfortunately for the victims,

they can no longer find temporary escape under the guise of going to work or visiting their

friends. Victims are often not heard even given the best of situations and Corona is making sure

that the medical facilities are running at capacity the reason why victims will be medically

neglected. The same thing is happening as the victims are approaching therapists as well. They

are overbooked by patients in trauma or depression due to the enforced lockdown. Women and

men who have been abused are scared of reaching out since the fear of contamination and

contraction is now intrinsic to their system. People with serious injuries are refusing to report

their conditions and going down to hospitals since it increases the chances of viral contraction.

The victims mostly have nowhere to go since seeking refuge at someone’s house might

expose their friend or relative to the virus which the victim may be a carrier of. Travel is already

banned internationally which is an impediment for the victims while shelters and NGOs are

already overcrowded since the risk of infection is deemed to be very high. One of my friends

belonging to the LGBTQIA community is being forced to live on the streets in Brighton and

Cove (in the United Kingdom) since they were threatened and ousted by their landlords in

London. Their reason for continuously tormenting their tenant was the fact that the individual

staying under their roof was not “normal” according to them since they were gay and transsexual

at the same time. All I could say to her was that things are in no way better for the so-called

“cis-females” as well, taking worldwide records into account. Victims are losing their jobs like

others during the current period of economic downturn and saving enough money to get out of an

abusive relationship is nothing but a mere dream. The centres for social services are being hit bu

the impending recession as well since they are facing backlogs in fundraising leading them to

make cuts in allowances for altruistic activities.

Domestic Violence hotlines across the world are making an effort in establishing a digital

connection with the victims however they are not always able to communicate with any outside

party given they are at home with the abuser(s). Online chatting or texting can only help so much

since the abusers often do not let their victims have access to their own phones itself. The

Government In India is known to be providing packages for care and paid leaves to women

facing domestic abuse and it seems like men do not need any protection at all. Although still in

minority males have also faced abuse in the society which should be looked after but is not. If

women are given to be making all the decisions then how is justice or any opportunity going to

be gender-sensitive. The theory has it that employers have been assigned with the “duty of care”

towards their employees who are working from home currently. In theory, this is supposed to

mean that employers are meant to be taking care to check if an employee is in a situation where

they will be able to work or not. The situation of the employee may not be viable due to many

reasons, domestic violence being one of the foremost.

Bio

Prapti Bhaumick is a Kolkata-based content writer for multiple institutions. Her Email-id

is prapti.bh@gmail.com if anyone needs to get in touch.