(PDF) Domestic violence in the COVID-19 pandemic

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Domestic Violence during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Domestic Violence during the Covid-19 Pandemic

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Domestic Violence during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Abstract
One of the most prevalent kinds of abuse is domestic violence, often known as
domestic abuse. Domestic violence can harm a woman, a kid, a man, or any other member of
the family. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, mental, emotional, and sexual. It
can result in serious trauma and a tough life. Abuse can take many forms, including physical,
mental, emotional, and sexual. Domestic abuse affects people of all ages, genders, races,
sexual orientations, and creeds. Covid-19 has been connected to an increase in domestic
violence cases. Domestic violence is on the rise, which might lead to economic and societal
problems. Due to the sheer nature and severity of the violence, Covid-19 may result in an
economic and social disaster. Domestic violence is on the rise as a result of layoffs, financial
loss, prolonged domestic stays, and exposure to habits as a result of stay-at-home orders.
Domestic abuse is fueling economic crises by putting a strain on the government, causing a
resource shortage, and lowering labour productivity.
Introduction
Acts that injure or threaten the victim's health, safety, life, limb, or well-being (mental
or physical) are considered domestic violence. Physical abuse, sexual assault, verbal abuse,
mental abuse, emotional abuse, and economic abuse are all examples of domestic violence
performed by anybody who is or was in a relationship with the victim. Domestic violence is a
serious crime that not only impacts the victim and her child, but also has societal
ramifications. The patriarchal structure of Indian civilization has existed since the dawn of
humanity. Domestic abuse affects women from all walks of life, regardless of their age,
religion, caste, or social status. Although the cause of the crime is difficult to pinpoint, certain
aspects of the violence can be linked to gender stereotypes and power imbalances. Many
people think and argue that this system is to blame for women's maltreatment. It is a serious

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Domestic Violence during the Covid-19 Pandemic
crime that has far-reaching consequences not just for the victim and her child, but also for
society.
Gender-based violence is a type of violence that targets a person based on their
gender. It's a complicated phenomena including a mix of sexual, physical, and emotional
abuse, as well as neglect or deprivation. Between 2005 and 2010, the National Commission
for Women (NCW) saw a twofold increase in incidents of gender assault. The adoption of the
'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005' was the reason for this. It
establishes a specific set of offences relating to cruelty to married women. All other cases of
domestic violence within the home had to be treated under the IPC offences that the various
acts of violence represented, regardless of the victim's gender. Gender-related violence is
described by the CEDAW (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women) as a kind of violence that disproportionately affects women. Sexual violence,
violence against women, domestic violence, and damaging cultural practises such as female
genital mutilation are all examples of gender violence. Several studies show that during and
after any major crisis or tragedy, there is an increase in familial violence and sexual violence.
Gender assault cases have increased by twice, according to the National Commission for
Women (NCW).
Domestic abuse is linked with dowry violence in India's public discourse and media
when it comes to marital relationships. Domestic violence against women is frequently
misinterpreted as including just physical damage to adult women in married partnerships. The
ideal lady as a cultural construct clearly sets the bounds of acceptable norms. Interventions
that are more inclusive of all women's experiences would arise from a definition that
recognises these various possibilities. The ubiquitous, everyday psychological, physical, and
sexual violence that women suffer is distorted by this omission. This limited concept of

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Domestic Violence during the Covid-19 Pandemic
domestic violence is perpetuated by Indian legislation on marital violence. Domestic abuse
may be more complicated than a single violent incident.
Domestic Violence across the World during the Covid-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 epidemic had a tremendous influence on people's lives, particularly
family connections. Financial uncertainty disproportionately affected women, who bore the
brunt of the agony and sorrow. Abuse, whether physical, mental, or emotional, increased
during the lockdown since women had no respite. Domestic abuse statistics are based on
those who had the guts to disclose it. Many more people who live in mixed families are
subjected to abuse but do not disclose it for reasons of privacy and fear of things getting
worse. The entire family stayed together during the countrywide lockdown that was enforced
in March of last year. The housewife is supposed to labour and deal with everything as if she
were a machine. Because of the dread of Covid, families have stopped hiring domestic help,
thus the lady of the house is now responsible for everything from cooking to cleaning to
laundry. They were held captive within the confines of the mansion by their tormentors.
There are times during lockdown when the victim is unable to use the phone to ask for help
due to the presence of the abusive partner nearby. If the victim is subjected to violent,
abusive, or toxic behaviour from the spouse, there is no option for the victim to escape.
The year 2020 witnessed the global anniversaries of important women's rights
initiatives, such as the passage of the 19th Amendment and the tenth anniversary of UN
Women. Unintended pregnancies and marriages are a result of disruptions in contraception
supply chains, resources to prevent female genital mutilation, and child nuptials. The number
of calls received by helplines dedicated to the protection of women from domestic abuse has
increased dramatically. According to a WHO report, more than a quarter of women aged 15
to 49 who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse from
their intimate partner. Intimate partners are responsible for up to 38% of all female homicides