Domestic violence swelled during the Covid19 pandemic.
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Covid19 pandemic – made us rethink on how we live our lives. It also gave us those calm moments when we reconnected with our inner self and with our near and dear ones.
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But what I never anticipated were tons of inundated calls, and whatsapp messages that I received from not so blessed, from those who spoke about those dismal, dark moments they spent perennially with the abuser at home.
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Quarantine – Stay at home - made the home a hell house where the woman was ‘overly’ connected with her abuser day in and day out.
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Women were Locked in, beaten, abused, sexually assaulted, with no means to even run away. These are already victims of domestic violence, and the imposed lockdown ‘completely locked them down’ in an unending depression and misery, with nowhere to go and no one to reach out to.
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It is not a surprise that that during the first four phases of the lockdown, Indian women filed more domestic violence complaints than ever recorded.
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The Bigger Issue: Here we have a chronic problem – women who experience domestic violence never seek help, and unfortunately women don’t ever mention the incidents to anyone.
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The social stigma is so intense. The repercussions of revolt, no matter how feeble could be disastrous.
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Just imagine – women battle the male aggressor at home and battle with the virus outside. They are confined within the walls of their houses, living with abusive partners, who hurt them both physically and emotionally.
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These women do scream, but the screams drown in self-isolation; they cry only to wet the pillow they slept on with their tears.
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We live in a country where women are supposed to tolerate everything thrown at them almost as a ritual - the numbers are mind-boggling, and measures few.
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There need to be stronger laws and the Indian government needs to step in to protect these women and children from their persecutors.
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I humbly request everyone to take a firm stand against domestic violence and reach out to all those in distress, suffering in silence.
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On our part, each one of us needs to help. Act now. Speak out, support every sister, mother and daughter.
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Ignorance isn't bliss anymore.. who knows you may be next!
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