DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
When all are fighting to get rid with the corona virus some men fight with their wife
since this pandemic cause a sense of economic insecurity, financial instability and isolation
which cause depression, stress and makes people lose their mind that results in diverse forms
of violence against women. Violence against women is a serious problem in India.
Earlier reports have shown a direct link between times of crisis like these and
interpersonal violence. Unfortunately, domestic violence cases are underreported across the
world, especially in times of global emergencies like COVID-19. Women worldwide
consider informal channels as their first point-of-reporting in the case of domestic violence.
The first respondent is often the family and the police is the last.
The COVID-19 lockdowns
The grasp of domestic violence perpetrators has tightened in times of the pandemic in
India. Abuse victims are distanced from their regular support systems making it difficult for
them to call out for help. On 24 March 2020, the Prime Minister of India announced a
nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. Within a fortnight, the
National Commission of Women (NCW)/ reported /a 100% rise in complaints of domestic
violence cases. A nationwide WhatsApp number was then launched by the NCW to provide
an alternate method for women to report domestic abuse.
While there was an evident spike in the number of domestic violence cases in India,
the NCW/ monthly data /spoke some alternate truth. It showed an overall decrease in the
complaints received during the months of lockdown in comparison to even the initial months
of 2020 (Complaints received: January: 538, February: 523, March: 501, April: 377).
However, the gradual relaxation of the lockdown saw a subsequent rush in the complaints.
While 552 complaints were recorded in the month of May, June saw over 730 complaints.
This data shows that while the concern of a rapid increase in the domestic violence cases
during the lockdown was valid, the instances were not actively reported.
Married women are more likely to experience physical or sexual violence by
husbands than by anyone else. Nearly two in five (37 percent) married women have
experienced some form of physical or sexual violence by their husband. One in four married
