BY RASHMI NEGI

The COVID-19 outbreak has changed our lives in ways we never could have imagined. According to the World Health Organization, there have been over four million COVID-related deaths worldwide and counting. [1] It has been one of the most challenging times in many of our lives, causing fear of the unknown and the possible loss of loved ones.

As the pandemic evolved, the U.S. issued stay-at-home orders in March 2020, affecting each of us in many ways. The lockdown had a massive effect on mental health as people adjusted to staying inside their homes.

For some, it was an opportunity to learn and unlearn many things that could be helpful in both personal and professional spheres. Many people went back to their old hobbies or developed new ones and found ways to deal with the isolation during the lockdown.

For others, staying at home protected them from the virus; but left them with no escape from abusive situations within their home.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence or intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behavior in any relationship used to control or gain power over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of action. [2]

Increased Vulnerability During COVID-19

There has been an alarming rise in the number of domestic violence incidents reported since March 2020. According to the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice (NCCCJ), police report an 8.1% increase in Domestic Violence incidents in the U.S. since the lockdown began. [3]

This surge in domestic abuse rates is not only happening in the United States. The UN reports that Mexico and Brazil have also seen increased reports of domestic abuse. In China, calls to abuse hotlines went up to three times the average last February. Countries like Australia, France, Germany, and South Africa have also reported a significant increase in domestic abuse cases since the outbreak. [4]

Anxiety about current events and economic instability can put people on edge. When those people cannot leave their homes, they might, unfortunately, take their frustration out on the only people around them. That same anxiety and instability make it even more difficult to leave situations of abuse.

Stigma & Shame

There is shame associated with abuse, and often the victims of domestic violence do not report the abuse. Even when they do, authorities might treat such cases in a trivial manner.

Research suggests isolation is one of the most crucial tactics of abusers to make victims comply with their orders or demands. Constantly being around your abuser can make you lose hope for escaping the relationship.

Signs You Can Look Out For

The following can be warning signs of domestic abuse. Your partner:

·       Embarrasses you or puts you down in front of your family and friends.
·       Doesn’t acknowledge your accomplishments.
·       Makes you feel you are unable to make any decisions or do anything on your own.
·       Uses force such as grabbing, pushing, pinching, hitting, or striking.
·       Prevents you from doing things that you like or want to do in life.
·       Blames you for their feelings and sufferings in life.
·       Consumes drugs or alcohol, then sexually abuses or says hurtful things.
·        Makes you feel like there is no way out of your relationship. [2]

Additionally, you may:

·       Feel scared and do not understand how your partner might behave with you.
·       Always do what your partner says and wants you to do.
·       Try not to create conflicts or worsen any situation that makes your partner angry.
·       Stay in the relationship because you fear what would happen if you left.
·       Believe your partner can only change if you change something about yourself. [2]

If you suspect that you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, Abuse Refuge Org provides a space for abuse survivors to come together, share their experiences, and provide and receive support. When you’re ready, contact us to learn more about our services and how ARO can help you start your journey to healing.

Sources:
[1]https://covid19.who.int/
[2] https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse
[3]https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/domestic-violence-covid-19-increase-us-ncccj-study/?template=next
[4] https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/double-pandemic-domestic-violence-age-covid-19