“Domestic violence cases in India on the rise during lockdown”

The author of this blog is Piyush Bhardwaj, IVth Sem .B.A.LL.B student from Lloyd law college, Greater Noida.

The coronavirus disease that emerged at the end of 2019, affecting the lives of millions of people day by day. The issue which the whole country is facing is that how we manage and react to this stressful and hazardous situation. As it has achieved the status of the pandemic and sweeping across the world and causing widespread concern, fear, and stress. To face this situation, the whole world has declared lockdown in their respective countries. In the run-up to the announcement of the nationwide lockdown on March 24^th,2020, the government failed to craft strategies to address possible fallout in several areas. One such area that went unaddressed was domestic violence.

Domestic violence means violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or a partner. The problem of domestic violence has increased rapidly during this lockdown period, as the people have no work to do and because of this, they misbehave with their spouse or partner. Domestic violence cases in India have increased from March 24, when this lockdown period starts, and it starts with husband venting their frustration on wives, who have no escape from their abusers.

The national commission for women, for instance, received 58 complaints from March 23 to March 30 and the number is still increasing from the day of lockdown. Don’t forget that this is just the registered number of cases. These numbers have increased because men are frustrated sitting at home and are taking out that frustration on women. There are women who experience this torture on a daily basis and still find it difficult to come out and speak against it. This is what has given the power to encouragement to men.  

The increased violence is not just a result of the frustration due to physical confinement. The pandemic has brought in its wake a global slowdown, massive economic dislocation, closed businesses, the specter of looming unemployment, often accompanied by the threat of hunger and poverty for what seems to be an indefinite future. While both men and women are affected by the economical slowdown, but there is some evidence in the past that says that the violence against women increases in these types of situations. The term domestic violence is used in many countries to refer to intimate partner violence but it also encompasses child and elder abuse, and abuse by any member of a household. According to the WHO report, one in every three women across the globe experience physical or sexual violence.

Many people who are suffering from domestic violence in this lockdown period don’t know how to report the cases and how to send emails and report their complaints. All the medium through which the victim can reach for help are not accessible and are thus inadequate due to the pandemic.  This is because people locked in with their abusers may not be able to get access to a mobile phone, nor space and time to call for help. Some women are not aware of the domestic violence laws and they think that what their husbands are doing is their right to do and they couldn’t do anything for themselves. Tolerating abuse encourages more violent behavior.

It is very important to stop your partner the very first time he raises hand on you or he abuse you verbally. Not doing so gives a feeling of authority and superiority to men and encourage more violent behavior. Tolerating violence gives encouragement to those indulging in it. Women usually brush up domestic violence by justifying it with bad mood or effect of alcohol consumption. They forget that it can lead to great consequences. Do not let the violence and abuse become a habit of your partner. You and your pride are very important. Do not let anyone undermine your worth. 

Due to the mandatory stay at home rules, physical distancing, economic uncertainties, and anxieties caused by the pandemic, domestic violence has increased globally. Being trapped in a space with violent or manipulative individuals could lead to increased rate and intensity of threat, physical, sexual and phycological abuse, humiliation, intimidation, and controlling behavior. These behaviors often have lasting effects on people, and can significantly affect the mental health of the peoples.

According to the earlier evidence from Europe, domestic violence mostly increases when families spend time together, even including festive and happy occasion. But a the destructing pandemic environment is no exception to the occurrence of a crime of domestic abuse. It provides the abusers with a more flexible environment proving them a perfect opportunity to terrorize their wife and locking them inside the fearful environment of a house where they have no escape and no way to reach.

Self-isolation and quarantine environment along with confinement within the house is fostering more tension due to the other issue created by the pandemic like health issues, poverty, unemployment and most importantly living all day with such violent partners who are abusers in real-world and isolation from the help providers and necessary resources.

As Urvashi Gandhi said, “The load of work during the lockdown ha increased in the house because everybody is at home. With housekeeping staff being unavailable, the expectation from women is to bear the load, and thus the chances of violence increase if she fails to do so.”

We totally understand that financial dependency and social pressure are not letting some women take a stand for themselves and come out of the abusive relationship. But, sometimes, you just need a bit of courage and things follow.

Women have to believe it that “they can survive without a partner” they need to start realizing their capabilities. They do not need a man to take care of their requirements and fulfill their dreams. They can do it themself with the help of knowledge, dedication, strength, confidence, and hard work. So, if the fear of uncertainties in life is stopping you from firmly saying no to domestic violence, then gather the courage and do the needful. You can also ask for your family help. Taking such a step by only one woman can save the lives of thousands of women who are the victims of domestic violence in this lockdown.

The foremost step for everyone is to recognize the gravity of the problem and also to sensitize with victims specifically women. The administrative authorities should be made easily accessible via which the distressed women can reach out to the authorities easily. A safe environment away from the abuser should be created for the victims where they can be shifted to if needed at all. Self-help groups should be encouraged in rural areas where they can help and support each other in local areas.

As we take all the necessary steps to flatten the pandemic curve, we need to be equally vigilant to make sure that the shadow pandemic curve of intimate terrorism does not rise exponentially. This is not a matter of pitting one curve against another. As some of us urged in a recent policy brief, we are in this situation for the long haul. Women’s lives can’t be put on hold until we emerge out of the pandemic.