THE world’s population is currently living under some form of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As threats of the pandemic escalate at an alarming rate, the implications of social isolation is psychological and emotional as many people encounter financial distress and experience loneliness. These social and economic anxieties have led to a horrifying surge in domestic violence.

For many women and children, staying at home can be dangerous as they are locked in with their abusers while having limited access to the outside world. Such social isolation has two consequences for the survivors. First, it works as a barricade for survivors to seek help from people outside. Second, acts of abuse may intensify for those who are already experiencing domestic violence.

Gender-based violence (GBV) was a serious issue globally even before this pandemic occurred. Moreover, in conflict situations, the data indicates that cases of GBV heighten.

During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, between 2014 and 2016, a 21-day quarantine resulted in an escalation of cases of women and girls being sexually violated. Sierra Leone recorded a 65% increase in teenage pregnancies due to sexual violence and rape. The current Covid-19 pandemic is showing similar GBV patterns.

Hubei, the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak, reported a tripling of domestic violence cases during the lockdown. Helpline calls and chat rooms rose 20% in the first few days of the lockdown. In February 2020, there were 175 reports of domestic violence, while during the same month in 2019, there were only 47 reports. In Bangalore, the National Commission for Women reported that within a short period after the lockdown, from March 23-31, they received 250 complaints of domestic violence. 

In Malaysia, after the movement-control order (MCO) was instituted on March 18, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry reported that by March 26, the Talian Kasih hotline had received 1,893 calls from distressed women, an increase of 57%.

The Women’s Development Research Centre (Kanita), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) reported that more than 800,000 women in the country have experienced abuse. Kanita’s data, however, does not include women and children who were afraid to reach out or did not know who to approach to get support.

According to the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO), in 2016, 41% of its residents had filed a police report on domestic violence, prior to getting support from the organisation. Unfortunately, these were just cover reports to document incidence of abuse, not an action report that required the police to investigate or intervene. In numerous cases, the police only acted after a WAO social worker got involved in the case and assisted the survivors to follow-up on their reports.

The Covid-19 pandemic poses an even more intimidating situation for GBV victims as front-liners and the police are overburdened and preoccupied with maintaining social order during the MCO. The restriction of movement also prohibits survivors from reaching out to family members and the community for help. GBV cases will inevitably escalate as the MCO has now been further extended. The important question now is how can survivors reach out for support?

Help is available through support networks like Talian Nur Kasih 15999 (WhatsApp 019-2615999), One-Stop Crisis Centres (OSCC) at government hospitals, and the usual emergency number 999. However, more is required during this difficult time.

First, the government has to play a vital role to keep GBV as part of the national response plans for Covid-19. The government must increase funding for domestic violence shelters that are seriously lacking in Malaysia. Currently, there are only 42 gazetted shelters, of which 34 are government-run. Each government shelter can only house 32 victims each year, on average. 

More funding is required if the government and charity shelters can function well to keep GBV survivors safe. Australia recently made available AUS$150 million to tackle domestic violence during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Canada offering about US$40 million for shelters for those subjected to domestic violence. Importantly too, police officers are the first responders for the survivors. Currently, only about two dozen victim care officers (VCO) specialise in attending to GBVs throughout the country.

Another concern is the low uptake of welfare services because GBV survivors are unaware of the range of services offered by civil societies. These groups must engage more with the public to create awareness.

Meanwhile, given the protracted MCO, neighbours, friends and families also need to be aware of signs of GBV and offer help. This is the time to be sensitive and aware of the surroundings and do our duty as part of civil society to help GBV survivors. – April 13, 2020.

* Sharifah Muhairah Shahabudin is a senior lecturer of Universiti Malaya and reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.