by Dina Sherif (@Dina_Sherif58)
Introduction
Countries across the globe battled the pandemic by introducing national lockdown, border closures, and remote working on a mass scale in order to curb the speed of transmission.[1] Alas, such measures also led to an increase in domestic abuse cases around the world. A high spike was seen in China, United States, Brazil, France, Australia and the United Kingdom.[2] Within the UK there was a rise of 49% in the number of calls to domestic abuse services,[3] an estimate of 380 weekly calls to police,[4] and 16 homicides related to domestic abuse in the first month after strict social distancing was enacted. The number of deaths had trebled compared to 2019 figures - the highest in at least 11 years.[5] Expert predicate that the figures are likely to be much higher than what is reported due to mass underreporting in domestic abuse cases generally and additional hurdles created by the lockdown.[6] Indeed, women on average experience 50 incidents before they decide to report.
Causes Behind the Increase
It is said that domestic abuse has acted like a “opportunistic infection” flourishing in the environment created by the pandemic.[7] Indeed, the uncertainty, fear, financial concerns, health worries, insecurity, unemployment created by the pandemic etc, has led to psychological breakdown, anger, stress, fight and violence within families.[8] So, while lockdown restrictions have led to slowing down the rate of transmission, it has been achieved at a high cost to victims of domestic abuse.
Confining victims under the same roof as perpetrators for prolonged periods of time is held to be one of the key factors for the rise. Studies show that whenever families spend more time together there is generally a rise in domestic abuse incidents, even in joyful occasions such as Christmas or summer holiday – events where issues causing anxiety/stress is minimal.[9] It is not surprising that the numbers have shot through the roof given that the pandemic has brought with it additional financial, security and health worries. Moreover, lockdown has also meant that women’s mobility and contact with their social support system have been restricted preventing them from seeking emotional and practical support.[10]Another factor has been the financial stress, during the lockdown period millions of employees have lost their jobs and many are working at reduced income.[11] Scholars have asserted that there is a strong link between low income and rise in domestic abuse. Even in families with no history of domestic abuse, financial stress coupled with lack of social support is held to fuel violence. Finally, lockdown has also led to exposing couples to one another’s incompatible habit which has led to increased frustration and violence.[12]
Government Response
In response to the rising concern, the government introduced a number of measures in order to alleviate the impact of the lockdown on domestic abuse victims. Victims were exempted from any legal repercussion for leaving their premises during the lockdown if they were at risk of experiencing domestic abuse,[13] £76m extra funding was allocated to domestic abuse and sexual violence charities,[14] national campaign under the #YouAreNotAlone was launched to reach out to victims,[15] and changes were brought in to make it easier for victims to obtain legal aid.[16] However, many charities have reported that despite the funding they struggled to reach out to all victims due to high demand and shortage in staff.[17] Further, while £10m was allocated to emergency shelters, reports suggested this amount was insufficient and more was required. This is particularly so given that the area was underfunded even before the pandemic. A research project in 2017 revealed that one in six refuges had been closed down since 2010, and 641 referrals were declined in 2018-19.[18] Recommendations from charities to use hotels and hostels as shelter were snubbed by the government.[19] The awareness campaign has also been heavily criticised, many contending that it failed to communicate the “business as usual” message to victims and perpetrators leading to impunity and underreporting.[20]
Finally, whilst the measures such as the relaxation of requirement for legal aid was welcomed, a number of concerning issues have emerged from the way the criminal justice system operated during this period. Police have been reported to have trivialised the situation of victims and relaxed investigative work. Prosecutors have been more willing to accept guilty plea to less serious crime without consulting with victims. Further courts have been reluctant to place offenders into custody awaiting trial, been less willing to order Domestic Violence Penalty Notice/Orders (DVPO & DVPN), and have encouraged out of court settlement .[21] Whilst some changes were necessary given the unprecedented times, it is essential that they do not trivialise the situation of victims and lead to re-victimisation. Given, that the uncertainty around Covid-19 continues and there is a possibility of a second lockdown it is crucial that policymakers and government review their work and bring amendment in order to better attend to victims.
Recommendations for Reform
Review & reform
Review the delivery of existing domestic abuse services and adapt it to current situation of victims.[22] Consider adopting the French Scheme where victims are able to seek help discreetly at pharmacies and supermarkets.[23] Place victims at the centre of any reform and ensure the participation of domestic abuse organisations is sought as they are key to understanding the needs of women and girls.[24]
Increase awareness to increase reporting
It is vital that the “business as usual” message is communicated to victims, perpetrators and public in general. This is to prevent perpetrators from pushing the boundaries and encourage victims to report and seek help.[25] As victims may be unable to report, in the event of a second lockdown, the role of neighbours, community members, and bystanders becomes very important. The government must encourage community members to report domestic abuse in their neighbourhood.[26]
Increase funding/resources to increase speed
The speed at which police responds (or services are provided) will encourage both victims and bystander to report domestic abuse. Even in cases where help cannot be provided imminently a time frame should be set to reassure victims that support will be provided to them. In order to ensure speed, however, it is vital that resources/funding is increased for domestic abuse charities and the justice system.[27]
Training & tracing
Provide training to criminal justice agencies to prevent the risk of revictimization and trivialisation of domestic abuse. Apps should be used to track domestic abuse perpetrators and allow victims to report issues associated with domestic violence. The helpline should be operated 24/7 to ensure victim’s safety.[28]
[1] Amalesh Sharma, 'Covid-19 and Domestic Violence: An Indirect Path to Social and Economic Crisis' [2020] 1(1) Journal of Family Violence, p1
[2] Anant Kumar, 'COVID-19 and Domestic Violence: A Possible Public Health Crisis' [2020] 22(2) Journal of Health Management 1-5
[3] Home office, 'Home Office preparedness for Covid-19 (Coronavirus): domestic abuse and risks of harm within the home ' (Parliament.uk, 27 April 2020) <https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5801/cmselect/cmhaff/321/32102.htm> accessed 22 September 2020
[4] Jamie Grierson, 'Domestic abuse calls to London police rise by a tenth during lockdown' (The Guardian, 15 July 2020) <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jul/15/domestic-abuse-calls-to-london-police-rise-by-a-tenth-during-lockdown> accessed 22 September 2020
[5] Amanda Taub, 'As Domestic Abuse Rises, UK Failings Leave Victims in Peril' (The New York Times, 2 July 2020) <https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/02/world/europe/uk-coronavirus-domestic-abuse.html> accessed 22 September 2020
[6] The Local Government Association, 'Tackling domestic abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic' [11 May 2020] 1-18
[7] Ibid note 1, p2
[8] Ibid note 2
[9] Ibid note 1, p3
[10] Boserup B, McKenney M, Elkbuli A. Alarming trends in US domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 28]. Am J Emerg Med. 2020;S0735-6757(20)30307-7. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.04.077
[11] Ibid note 6
[12] Ibid note 1, p3
[13] Ibid note 6
[14] Home Office, 'COVID-19: Home Office extraordinary funding for domestic abuse support services' (Gov.uk, 6 July 2020) <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-home-office-extraordinary-funding-for-domestic-abuse-support-services>accessed 22 September 2020
[15] Ibid note 3
[16]Ibid note 3
[17] Ibid note 3
[18][vi] Ibid note 3
[19] Mark Townsend, 'Hotels say offer of refuge for domestic abuse victims has been snubbed' (The Guardian, 19 April 2020) <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/19/hotels-refuge-abuse-snubbed> accessed 22 September 2020
[20] Scottish Government Social Research, 'Coronavirus (COVID-19): Domestic Abuse and Other Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls - 30/3/20-22/05/20' (Gov.scots, 19 Jun 2020) <https://www.gov.scot/publications/domestic-abuse-forms-violence-against-women-girls-vawg-during-covid-19-lockdown-period-30-3-20-22-05-20/> accessed 22 September 2020, p9
[21] End violence against women, 'Access to Justice for Women & Girls during Covid-19 Pandemic' (End Violence Against Women, August 2020) <https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Access-to-Justice-for-Women-Girls-during-Covid-19-Pandemic.pdf>accessed 22 September 2020
[22] UN Women, 'COVID-19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic' (UN Women, 2020) <https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/06/policy-brief-covid-19-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-addressing-the-shadow-pandemic> accessed 22 September 2020
[23] Ibid note 3
[24] Ibid note 22
[25] Ibid note 20
[26] Ibid note1, p3
[27] Ibid note 1, p3
[28] Ibid note 1, p4