DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING LOCK-DOWN

-AARUSHI JAIN

 

This is a report on domestic violence during lock-down .The key note speaker is here JYOTI GOYAL and it is organized by EMPOWER PEOPLE from there we have speakers- REEMA AND SUMATI. This webinar was conducted on 21^st April 2020. What does the domestic violence means? The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

Actually from the surveys we calculated that domestic violence has been increased during lock-down up to 33%. We see that women’s are scared to complaints about this as this personal and scared about the reputation. So we think to give them some kind relief by providing them job and their needs. As government has given name to this relief by Protection Order. In this who will help you they. There are two entities – Protection Officer and Service Provider under The Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Service Provider are those who have worked in organizations’ like NGO’S for women can apply for this to help them out . Protection Officers in each district of the country, who would facilitate the reporting of domestic violence, bolster the courage of victims and generally be the first point of contact for victims before approaching the law enforcement officers. What are reasons of this violence?

Disconnection from social support systems is one of the reasons for an increased risk of domestic violence during these times. As a result, there are fewer options to find safety or help for victims. Normally, the victim could flee a violent situation by staying elsewhere, but that option is not available right now. Due to mental illness and many more reasons.

But now women are aware about this and but some are even reporting even about this. But their is scope of more improvement as this is not correct in anyway. The National Commission of Women has recorded 291 complaints of domestic violence in March 2020 and is now only receiving complaints via email. However, actual reported cases may be quite low.

The way to forward it are as following:

• ·        The state governments need to declare helplines as “essential services” that should remain open during lockdowns.
• ·        Increase resourcing for NGOs that respond to domestic violence and aid — including shelter, counselling, and legal aid — to survivors, and promote those that remain open.
• ·        Media can sensitize the public against gender-based violence, publicize resources and services available and encourage the equitable sharing of domestic tasks at home.

In the conclusion I just can say that domestic violence is one of the most horrendous kinds of abuse suffered women in our society today. The statistics show that 85 percent of domestic violence victims are female. Only 15 percent of victims are men Domestic violence can happen to anyone, it does not matter the race, creed, religion, or standing in society of the victim. If the issue of domestic violence is not dealt with in a manner, which is sufficient, then this type of abuse will continue among all classes of society with no ending. In order for us as a society to eradicate this horrendous type of abuse, we need to stand together and make tougher laws, which will protect the victims of this abuse.