Code Mask 19 can save domestic violence victims

April 23, 2020 15:05

Charlize Theron has launched a campaign to fight gender-based violence

At a time when violent crimes, including murder, rape and assault, have plummeted owing to some form of lockdown measures across the world to slow the spread of COVID-19, official figures cited by The Economist have shown a sharp rise in domestic violence--a crime committed in private, inside people's homes.

An analysis on Wednesday, by the London-based weekly magazine of data collected from five big American cities, indicates that although most types of crime have indeed fallen in recent weeks, reports of domestic violence have increased.

Sifting through over 100,000 reports from police departments in Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis and New Orleans, which all went into lockdown from March 19 to 24, the tabloid learned that total crime soon fell by 25 per cent, compared with the week ending on March 1.

However, reports of domestic violence increased by 5 per cent. Domestic violence is thought to be one of the most under-reported crimes. During lockdown, it maybe even more so.

Forced to stay with a violent family member or partner, it may be more difficult, if not dangerous, for victims to seek help when the abuser is always around.

Earlier this month, UN chief Antonio Guterres also called for measures to address a "horrifying global surge in domestic violence" directed towards women and girls, linked to lockdowns imposed by governments responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Citing the records of other countries, The Economist further stated that reports of domestic violence have risen by 30 per cent in France. Some governments have also taken action to stop the abuse of women at homes. In France, victims of domestic violence can visit newly created drop-in centres near supermarkets, or stay in a hotel room at the government's expense.

In Spain, those who would like to report violence at home discreetly can visit a pharmacy and give the code word "Mask 19". The pharmacist will then alert the authorities, the tabloid reported.

Data provided by Denmark's national domestic-violence hotline, Lev Uden Vold (Life Without Violence), show that in the week after the country's lockdown began, total call volumes fell by more than 50 per cent, while calls about emergency shelters--typically from people asking for a place to stay immediately--rose sharply.

In Denmark, the authorities have set up additional temporary shelters to deal with the surge in requests. -- PTI

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