Appease, defuse, enlist a friend: domestic violence in coronavirus lockdown, how to reduce the risk of it, and precautions to take

With millions under lockdown around the world and families and partners cooped up together, reports of domestic violence are increasing

Experts offer strategies to minimise confrontation; in Hong Kong, a counselling service reaches out to victims through social media

Reading Time:5 minutes

The coronavirus lockdown has led to a surge in domestic violence. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 10:30am, 14 Apr 2020Updated: 9:13am, 15 Apr 2020

Hotlines around the world have seen a surge in the number of domestic abuse calls as countries have gone into lockdown to prevent coronavirus spread, and Hong Kong is no different. Harmony House, Hong Kong’s first shelter for abused women, saw a 25 per cent increase in calls to its hotline between January and March.

“The situation is in crisis. Most of the calls are from women telling us about conflict in the family because of the coronavirus – arguing about whether it’s safe to go out, how to wear a mask,” says Susanna Lam from Harmony House. One or two family groups often share a room there, but Harmony House is trying to keep groups separate to reduce the risk of infection, so the shelter is full, although Lam said they would not turn anyone away.

“It’s a very difficult time. Flats are very small, the children don’t go to school and the husband might be unemployed or recently fired. Women don’t have time to rest, they are feeling very pressured,” says Lam.

While Hong Kong hasn’t gone into full lockdown as other places have, the pressures of social distancing, school closures and working from home combined with a relationship that is already under pressure are often explosive.

There has been a worldwide surge in domestic abuse since the lockdown. Photo: Getty Images

The Hong Kong government hasn’t released data on domestic abuse incidents during the pandemic. The Women’s Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in Hong Kong, is alarmed at the global surge in domestic violence and says it assumes it is on the rise in Hong Kong, too.

“We urge the Hong Kong government to move quickly and make prevention and support measures for domestic violence a key part of its Covid-19 response … such as emergency warning systems in pharmacies or other stores, dedicated funds and resources to tackle domestic violence and making emergency accommodation available for those needing help,” says the foundation’s CEO, Fiona Nott.

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