EDITORIAL

Uncovering the hidden shame in our homes

AS the old saying goes, you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

This has never been more true than over the past few months when the efforts to contain a global pandemic has forced more of us to spend longer periods inside our own homes.

For some, the merging of workplace and residence has provided a welcome opportunity to spend more time with family and rediscover our immediate surrounds.

But sadly this has not been the case for all.

There are those among us for whom home is not necessarily a safe or happy place. Many of these people embrace the chance to leave their house for the workplace each day, welcoming the friendly interaction with co-workers or the break from a toxic situation in their homes. Their workmates might not realise it, but their simple daily interactions often provide a crucial role of support.

There are others for whom the recent few months have illuminated problems they didn’t realise were there. The sudden long periods of time sharing the same space, under conditions of financial uncertainty and physical stress, have placed enormous pressure on many relationships.

Last week we reported on Dr Gery Karantzas, one of many relationship experts looking into the effect the pandemic and social lockdown has had on what were previously considered to be stable relationships. When you take away all the bells and whistles of social interaction, are your core relationships really what you thought they were?

But the truly frightening reality of the situation was further illuminated yesterday with the release of the latest Crime Statistics Agency figures.

For the year up until March 31, Geelong recorded an increase in family violence incidents of almost 14 per cent. It also recorded the second highest rate of “high harm person-related victim reports”.

This latest spike occurred immediately before the COVID-19 restrictions kicked in. With these issues already prevalent and growing among the local community, it is frightening to think just what was going on behind the doors of these homes from which partners and children suddenly had no reprieve.

And while we can’t always know what our friends and colleagues are going through, we can take the time to reach out and let them know that they have support if they need it.

Unfortunately home is not always the sanctuary it should be.