What we forget about COVID-19: domestic violence

The pandemic that has changes thousands of lives has been a key staple in our everyday 8’o clock news. They tell us the new cases, the new death and how our hospitals are falling apart. We are told to stay safe, stay indoors and maintain distancing, but how else has the pandemic affected us? What parts are we not looking at?

Another pandemic emerging alongside COVID-19 is the increasing wave of domestic violence. People who suffered from abusive relationships are now stuck with their abusers 24/7. Lockdown accompanied a rise in 20% of domestic abuse worldwide.

Groups that have been advocating to help people trapped with their abusers, have to fight the mounting pressure to sow down contagion. Luckily some governments installed and/or modified policies to tackle the issue.

The UK government declared that if one is stuck with the abuser, they are legally allowed to break lockdown, “Household isolation instructions as a result of coronavirus do not apply if you need to leave you home to escape domestic abuse”(GOV.UK). Furthermore, in England schemes were created to help those who cannot safely ask for help, they have the “Ask for ANI” scheme. Ani, stands for Action Needed Immediately. Pharmacies have stickers telling customers that they have private space and phone available for those in need.

Portugal has too been offering support to victims of domestic violence. Victims are eligible to public support of psychological and juridical intervention. Yet, there is not a correspondent to the British “ANI” for a simple scape in more urgent cases. Thus, now more than ever, it is fundamental and our duty as members of a society and as human beings to report cases of domestic abuse, physical or psychological, towards woman or man. We are appealing to your humanity and urging for action. Do not wait for the vaccine to make a difference. Report now.