the world is suffering for many more issues than the Coronavirus itself, like losing jobs, financial crisis, high anxiety issues, bipolar,signs of depression, and much more. These are intense times and our millennia is not used to handling such a crisis. We have always been engaged in a certain work pattern, repeating the same sequence of tasks day by day. In India, if we talk about women, housewives to be specific, are the most viable victim to domestic violence.
COVID-19 has brought the world at a halt indeed. But we are facing another pandemic that is lesser talked about - Domestic violence. And the fact that you have no other option than to be stuck at home with the abuser is really scary! Globally, a greater number of domestic violence cases have been reported than ever before. This is an even more alarming situation in countries like India. Where domestic violence is hush-hush topic and is considered a taboo speaking publicly about it.
Today, the world is suffering for many more issues than the Coronavirus itself, like losing jobs, financial crisis, high anxiety issues, bipolar,signs of depression, and much more. These are intense times and our millennia is not used to handling such a crisis. We have always been engaged in a certain work pattern, repeating the same sequence of tasks day by day. In India, if we talk about women, housewives to be specific, are the most viable victim to domestic violence.
Let’s imagine a typical scenario here. In a day’s routine of a typical housewife In India. Wife does the daily house chores and cooks, and husband goes to work. Husband has a bad day at work, comes back and takes it out on the wife, either emotionally or physically. Now during Covid lockdown, husband is stuck at home, working at less alary/resources, locked up inside the home, and where does all the frustration with life go? Again, on the wife. But this time wife has no other option than to face wrath and keep mum about it. Because they are stuck inside the same home for a long time ahead.
This is a typical scenario that is going on with most of the middle-class nuclear families in India today, and out of these only a handful of cases have been reported because of the fact that even in 2020, this topic is still a taboo in India. Even those handful of cases have spiked the number to an all time high, so we can very well imagine the total number of households going through this ‘shadow pandemic’, as rightly called by the UN.
What can we do about it if we are the ones facing domestic violence?
- We should not blame ourselves for whatever is happening to us, it is NOT OKAY to face violence, be it any reason.
- Always keep a close friend or family member informed about whatever is happening or chat with a psychologist. It’s safer to keep an alibi ready of thing escalade and you also have trustworthy face to vent out to.
- The option of reporting domestic violence to police is always open, and you must not wait to let matter ‘heat up’ to do this. Contact the authorities as soon as it starts.
- National Commission for Women has launched a WhatsApp helpline number to tackle domestic violence cases against women. You can drop a WhatsApp message to +917217735372 24/7 and get required help, almost immediately.
- For parents, it is very crucial to take care that these matters should not affect the children even in the slightest way, as it can leave a lasting impact on the child’s mind that may even be well beyond healing.
- Use anonymous venting websites or online counselling for depression to let someone know about what you’re going through, because sometimes advice from strangers can help you in unexpected ways.
It’s not only about the people going through it, we in general should be vigilant about the acts of violence happening around us, and keep a note to report it to the authorities as soon as we sense something fishy. We urge you to stay safe and sound during these difficult times. These times shall pass and there will be better time ahead, we just have to stay patient, and positive.
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