It’s hard to maintain sanity sometimes when there are restrictions on things you can do or where you can go duringstay home period. But that does not justify the increasingly reported cases of domestic violence on women and children since the COVID-19 lockdowns across the world. Cases of domestic violence in Nigeria, South Africa, UK, Brazil, Germany, Italy, China, Cyprus, Spain, and France among others have dominated the internet lately.
The implication of this on women is depression. Now, domestic violence is according the WHO is “prevalent during times of peace and stability, but risks escalate when a crisis strikes. Women who suffer “intimate partner violence are twice as likely to experience depression” says WHO. It says “1 in 3 women around the world experience physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner. This makes it the most widespread, but among the least reported human rights abuses”.
On Sunday 5th April, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned about the “horrifying global surge” in domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis and urged governments to step up efforts to prevent violence against women. Guterres in a video message posted on his verified Twitter handle ✔@antonioguterres says:
“Peace is not just the absence of war. Many women under lockdown for #COVID19 face violence where they should be safest: in their own homes. Today I appeal for peace in homes around the world. I urge all governments to put women’s safety first as they respond to the pandemic.”
Amnesty International Nigeria on 1st April has challenge the government for more “protection of women and children from all forms of violence”. It says “the government should increase support for services and protection, including shelters, hotlines, online advice platforms and criminal justice processes during the period of lock down”. And there have been more actions from government at all levels
Now, it remains for you to find a smart way to break away from your abuser and seek help. How do you seek help in such very tight situation?
- Report incidents of domestic violence to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team. Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) is an organisation under Lagos state Government committed to ensuring total eradication of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the State. Contact DSVRT through these helplines: 0813 796 0048, 0906 288 7843 0906 288 7869 or send an e-mail to info@dsvrtlagos.org.
- Call Stand To End Rape – 08095967000. Primary Health Care Board – 08033865196
- Speak with a psychologist: Call 09062887865, 09062887844
- If you don’t have airtime on your phone nor online transaction access to load recharge card, borrow airtime from Glo with code x321#, MTN x606# or Airtel x500#. The options are there. If you are regular airtime buyer or loader, the least you can get is from #1000 and last is #50. You can as well borrow browsing data.
You can as well do all these through your friends who may have reached out to you. Or neighbours, if you live in a place where you share the same building with other people. Just find a way to communicate to them that you are going through hell in the hands of your partner. Find a smart code that would get them into thinking staying in the house with your partner has been depressing. They just may help you get out of such situation if can’t do any of those mentioned earlier on your own
Remember. Corona Virus is still spreading. It could be transferred from person to person by droplets produced through coughing or sneezing. Keep keeping social distancing. Cover your mouth anytime you cough or sneeze. Throw away used tissues. Avoid spending time around people who have a fever or cough.
It could be transferred when touching a surface contaminated by virus-containing droplets. Keep your hands clean frequently with either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
If you show symptoms of the COVID-19 virus (cough, fever, shortness of breath), reach out to your state’s health official or the NCDC through their hotlines or via social media.
For the latest news updates, keep listening to the news.
