Originally Written: April 14, 2021
More than two years later, COVID-19 is raging on. Freely going to school and work is still difficult, variants of the virus have appeared around the world, booster shots are being administered to more people. As dire as this situation seems, it unfortunately gets worse. For millions of women and girls around the world, they are trapped at home with their abusers. (Of course, women abusers exist and men are also victims. This is a topic for later!) Media has started giving women more coverage and social media has recognized these women. Yet, progress for women's rights and gender equity has stalled due to life-threatening circumstances in the world, and legislation has been centered around the current health crisis. But, this is not the time to give up and put women on hold. It is now not enough to spread pity for these women. The domestic violence pandemic is yet another issue we all need to end. Though Sexual Assault Awareness Month is in April, let's take an early (and much-needed) look at domestic violence and how that carries significant influence during the pandemic.
The start of the pandemic also meant the start of increased domestic violence for women. Since stay-at-home orders were encouraged, victims were forced to reside in the same areas as their violent partners. In March of last year, domestic violence hotline calls nearly doubled within a week of lockdown. This is also attributed to the fact that financial stability is required to leave the situation, yet the current pandemic has made it difficult for that to happen. Nearly eight million American workers were laid off, according to the Commonwealth Fund. As a result, many women were stuck in situations where they couldn't simply leave their partners easily. In fact, a shelter meant for abused women and children in Illinois reduced their operations, and tried to not allow women in unless it was absolutely necessary. What's worse was that hospitalizations increased for women who had been beaten. In general, places like hotline centers and hospitals have started noticing these trends that are harming many women. This magnifies the situation of domestic violence since we are generally confined to the home. This has become so noticeable that there are hand signals on popular social media platforms, like TikTok and Instagram, which indicate if someone is a victim of domestic violence. (If you see anyone making this sign, reach out to support them in a discrete manner.
Source: Canadian Women’s Foundation
As much as domestic violence victims are receiving recognition online, it is not enough. Until the pandemic, we were making at least some sort of progress for gender equity, with the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, Affordable Care Act in 2010, and Violence Against Women Act in 2013. Of course, they weren't very large strides, but they were still progress. However, the pandemic has simply cut off the wave of momentum the women's rights movement had. All national and international focus surged into public health and the race to a vaccine. In the midst of it all, domestic violence victims suffered slowly. While this is in no way trying to underemphasize the current pandemic, we must acknowledge the existence of another pandemic--the one that happens in the homes.
Domestic Violence Hotlines
https://victimconnect.org/resources/national-hotlines/
https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/get-help/state-resources
Sources
New York Times COVID-19 Updates
National Women's History Alliance
The New England Journal of Medicine