victims of domestic violence face increased risk

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self-isolation makes abuse victims more vulnerable.

by jordan heuvelmans

published apr 01, 2020

3 minute read

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3 minute read

join the conversation

for victims of domestic abuse, being in self-isolation with a violent partner poses as an even more dangerous situation to be in. getty images

staying at home helps protect everyone from the spread of covid-19 — but what about those who don’t feel safe at home? for victims of domestic abuse, being in self-isolation with a violent partner poses an even more dangerous risk.since the outbreak of coivd-19, domestic violence has been reportedly rising in countries such as china and the u.k. the new york times reports that the hashtag #antidomesticviolenceduringepidemic has been trending on the social media platform sina weibo. the number of domestic violence reports have reportedly nearly doubled since cities went into lockdown, said wan fei, the founder of an anti-violence nonprofit in jingzhou, hubei, in an interview with sixth tone.meanwhile in the u.k., many are concerned about the increasing likelihood of a lockdown, which could see an increase in domestic violence cases. huffington post uk reports that an estimated 1.6 million in england and wales experienced domestic abuse last year. in times of uncertainty, whether social or economic instability, claire barnett, executive director for un women uk, told the huffington post uk there’s ‘clear evidence’ that this abuse increases. “when communities undergo additional stress — from disease, to drought, to their local football team losing a match — rates of violence rise,” she said. already, isolation and financial abuse are common tactics used in domestic abuse, leaving many organizations worried that these will be increased during the outbreak. “the imposition of self-isolation can amplify the abuser’s ability to restrict women’s freedoms and leave them at heightened risk,” rebecca hitchen, campaigns manager at the end violence against women coalition told the huffington post uk. since the essential services that many victims turn to for help, such as hospitals and shelters, are stretched thin with the demands of covid-19, there are ways the community can step up to support the most vulnerable. writing for spacing toronto, mirlo liendo offers some tips to help support the women in our communities who may be experiencing violence or tensions at home.

call, don’t text, to check in

liendo says that often, there’s a good chance that a woman experiencing domestic violence or tensions at home has their phone and text messages monitored. abusers may also have access to passwords for their phones and other electronic devices around the home. liendo says it’s better to call to check in and to ask questions that require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. don’t ask too many questions in case the abuser might be close by, but slip in at least one question that can give you an idea if everyone is safe while talking about other things.

send money as a gift

financial abuse is common, and as many businesses are closing down, it’s taking many people away from work. liendo says that reduced finances can lead to more stress, and more violence at home. she recommends that if you can, leave a care package at her door with cash or a gift card. alternatively, you can send an e-transfer, but make sure that she receives it in a personal account, as some abusers share joint accounts with their partners.

spread positivity, and don’t judge

liendo says that at this time, it’s important not to judge why someone didn’t leave prior to the pandemic. she says that now is the time to be a positive voice from the outside world and an ear to listen. asking too many questions or judging can make a woman feel resistant or retreat further into an unsafe home. instead, offer advice about how to keep busy or keep the kids busy and share fun activities they can do. liendo says that by maintaining contact, it creates an opportunity for the victim to ask for help.however, liendo adds that, “abusers are unpredictable, and every circumstance is different, so these considerations are not meant to be prescriptive.” if there are serious concerns about safety, you can contact your local police to conduct a wellness check. she cautions that these checks can lead to more violence at home, so only do it if you believe an immediate intervention is needed. while covid-19 is a pandemic that’s leaving many in fear, making sure to take care of one another is also important. it’s our job as a community to look out for those who are most vulnerable.