Nicola Cousins | Domestic violence surges as countries battle COVID-19

NEWS REPORTS from across the world have indicated a significant increase in domestic violence cases since the onset of the novel coronavirus. This increase is directly related to the lockdowns that countries have imposed to limit the spread of the virus.

During lockdowns, conditions are ideal for physical, financial, emotional and sexual abuse as victims are isolated with spouses and other family members who are the perpetrators of domestic violence. They often have little or no access to the usual routes of escape, such as leaving the house for work, school or visiting relatives and friends. With increasing pressure brought about by large-scale job losses, conditions are rife for an explosion of tension in the home.

This prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a statement on March 26 on ‘COVID-19 and Violence against Women’, referring to it as a major, global public health and women’s health threat during emergencies. Globally, one in three women experience physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. However, during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, violence against women tends to increase dramatically, with older women and women with disabilities said to be more vulnerable.

The increase in domestic violence is particularly worrisome because of its association with new HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as unplanned pregnancies.

To manage the increase in domestic violence cases, France announced that it will pay for 20,000 hotel nights for victims and put in place approximately 20 counselling centres in grocery stores across the country in order for affected women to seek help while they leave their homes to run errands. Elsewhere in Europe, the Helmut Kohl Parliamentary Building in Brussels has been converted to bedrooms to house 100 homeless women, many of them victims of domestic abuse. The women are provided with meals and medical care while there.

Rise in Domestic Violence Cases in Jamaica in 2020

Even without the aggravated conditions brought about by COVID-19, domestic violence was already on a meteoric rise in Jamaica between December 31, 2019, and March 2020. Every age group has been affected, as demonstrated by the killing of a 65-year-old woman in St Elizabeth in February by the 76-year-old father of one of her children. Many persons may also be able to relate to the incident involving Miss Nevia Sinclair which took place in January. Miss Sinclair had moved back to her family home after ending an abusive relationship with her on again/off again boyfriend. It is alleged that he entered her room through a window and stabbed her while she slept. She did not survive her injuries.

Lessons for Jamaica

Outlined below are some practical steps that can be taken by victims, programme managers and policymakers in Jamaica to avert an unwanted spike in domestic violence cases in the short, medium and long-term.

Practical steps for victims of domestic abuse

1. Call the police – If you are, or someone you know is, having a dispute that could result in injury or death, call the police. The emergency number, 119, can be reached even if you have run out of credit. Alternatively, you can text a friend or relative and have them contact the police on your behalf. It is also a good idea to store the number of the police station closest to you in your phone.

2. Contact the Domestic Violence Intervention Centres – Two centres have been established at the Constant Spring and Matilda’s Corner Police Stations. They offer professional counselling, referrals to appropriate agencies and follow-ups with clients. The centres can be reached at the following numbers – Constant Spring police: 876-702-5120 or 876-702-5121; Matilda’s Corner police: 876-978-6003. Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

3. Call domestic violence helplines/hotline – The Bureau of Gender Affairs helplines for domestic abuse can be reached at 876-553-0372 for women and 876-553-0387 for men on weekdays; the Women’s Crisis Centre 24-hour hotline can be contacted at 876-929-2997 (Kingston) and their Montego Bay office, which operates between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., can be reached at (876) 952-9533. The Women’s Crisis Centre also offers emergency shelter for a short period of time, following a screening process.

4. Visit the National Family Planning Board’s website to access the Jamaica HIV Anti-Discrimination Reporting and Redress Directory.

At the Policy and Programme Management Levels

5. Fast-track the creation of government-operated shelters and increase the number from three to 14 to ensure there is a shelter in each parish.

6. Complete the process to amend the Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment Acts to incorporate stiffer penalties for breaches.

7. Ensure the provision of an adequate cadre of service providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and counsellors to cater to the psychosocial needs of both the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

8. Ramp up the sensitisation and training of key stakeholders, including the police, healthcare workers and citizens at the community level, to identify and address signs of domestic violence.

It is hoped that the reiteration of these practical steps can assist in the effective management of domestic violence in all its forms until we succeed in eliminating it altogether.

Nicola Cousins is a technical officer at the National Family Planning Board. Send feedback to nicolaacousins@gmail.com.