Domestic Violence & Covid-19

Where to get help in Indonesia.

Recently, the headline of the news consists of gloomy informations whether it be the rise in the numbers of people got affected by COVID-19 on daily basis or murder crimes where a husband killed a wife and/or their child.

This COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on most of the people. Either it be financially, mental or physical health. Social distancing has cut off most of the social supports that we used to get. New normal seemed to be not working for a lot of people.

This situation makes women more vulnerable to be the victim of Domestic Violence.

Data from the Legal Aid Foundation of the Indonesian Women’s Association for Justice also showed up to 110 domestic violence cases have been reported since the lockdown was enforced from March 16 until June 20. The three-month figure is almost half the number of domestic violence cases reported last year.

The majority of COVID-19 domestic violence victims are women, heightening the already vulnerable position of Indonesian women.

As women become more vulnerable due to increasing their domestic burden and economic hardship, policies to aid the spread of COVID-19 make them harder to seek help.

Recently, the Canadian Women’s Foundation releasedthe Signal for Help, a simple one-handed sign that victims can use on a video call to silently show they need help.

Also, on April 29, 2020, Sejiwa, Psychiatric Services was launched by the Office of the Presidential Staff in order to support women and children dealing with problems in the midst of COVID-19.

SEJIWA aims to provide support to women and children as vulnerable groups, on psychosocial problems, including threats of lowered quality of mental health, anxiety, stress or depression, caused by the economic downturn,” as expressed by the MOWECP Minister Bintang Puspayoga.

It all starts from awareness, awareness leads to actions and actions lead to healing. Together, we can support one another.