DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS ON INCREASE IN THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS DRAWN ATTENTION TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND IN THIS ARTICLE LOCAL GP, MARGARET CONNOLLY OUTLINES WHAT CAN BE DONE
THE Covid-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the significant i ncrease i n cases of domestic viol ence. Local GP, Dr Margaret Connolly says the figures are stark and should provoke outrage in all of us. “Domestic violence affects approximately one in four women and, one in seventeen men according to studies.
“In most cases the victim is a woman. The culprits are normally partners or ex partners.
“It is reported one in eight women suffer physical violence in their pregnancies and in a quarter of these cases the violence begins in pregnancy.
“This suggests that the man chooses to keep his rage under control until his partner is at her most vulnerable.
“The figures are stark and should provoke an outrage in us all.
“Yet society often turns a blind eye to this so called “domestic” violence.
“Domestic violence incorporates the gamut of physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse including controlling, cruel and sadistic behaviour.
“The violence can incorporate all of the above and it often begins early in the relationship in the teenage years.
“The “grooming” process can begin early in the relationship where the male partner attempts to control what the girl wears, who she talks to, who she befriends and even what she speaks about.
He deliberately isolates his partner from her family and friends with the aim of making her more dependent on him.
“This can be a gradual process and the young woman will report years later that she did not realise what was happening as her life becomes more and more constricted and controlled by another human being.
“Embarrassment and shame are powerful weapons that stifles her voice.
“Unfortunately, studies have shown that GP’s and doctors in emergency departments often fail to enquire about the source of obvious injuries.
“Very few doctors ask could domestic violence be the source of their patients chronic and recurrent physical and mental ailments.
“The economic cost on the health and social services is immense.
“The effects of physical – sexual and emotional abuse on the victim and her children is always traumatic.
“It is akin to torture, the adverse effects can be long lasting and may lead to the onset of many diseases.
“Domestic violence can cause post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, heart disease, chronic pain syndromes, bowel disease and gynaecological diseases.
“It may also result in poor outcomes in pregnancy including preterm births.
“Trauma from domestic abuse is implicated in almost every physical and mental disease known to the medical profession.
“Physical assaults can result in broken bones, brain haemorrhages, miscarriages, still births, and tragically in the killing of the victim and at times her children.
“Over 230 women and 16 children have been murdered since 1996 in Ireland by partners or ex partners.
“It is known that the most dangerous time is when the woman is planning to leave or has left “the relationship”.
“Domestic violence and child abuse often co-exist in this toxic environment.
“It can occur across all classes and it is destructive to the physical, mental and emotional well being of the woman and her children.
“For children, to witness their mum being repeatedly beaten, controlled, humiliated and coerced on a daily basis can be as destructive to their well being as if they were on the receiving end of the violence themselves.
“In this environment chronic fear can produce chronic stress in the children.
“They can become fearful, anxious, hopeless and helpless.
“It can lead to poor learning in school. It makes it very difficult for the child to develop close, trusting, loving peer groups.
“It can lead to a host of physical ailments and they are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to drugs, alcohol and dangerous activities as they grow older.
“It also places them at risk of depression and subsequent suicide. Many of these children will have a shorter life span by 10 or 20 years.
“The victim and her children may in the end be forced to leave their home and take refuge in shelters in order to be safe from the terror inflicted on them by their so-called partners.
“The covid lockdown has been associated with a surge in domestic violence across all societies. Femicide in the UK has almost doubled in a short few weeks.
“How can we tolerate and fail to discuss this openly and honestly.
“I believe it is the case because violence in the home is regarded as a “domestic” affair and a private family matter
“The painful reality is that our society often condones and accepts the solution, “you have made your bed, now lie in it”.
“We generally encourage women to be nurturing and tolerant and “nice”.
“From an early age they are encouraged to put the needs of others first.
“They are rarely taught to express anger, honestly and effectively.
“Second guessing, and making excuses for cruel behaviour is often tolerated and accepted.
“As a culture we rarely encourage teenage girls
to be frank about their own needs.
“Boys are rarely taught to be emotionally expressive and vulnerable, as we can see poignantly played out in the TV series “Normal People”.
“The first danger signs of physical abuse, emotional and sexual control in a relationship are huge danger signals that worse is to follow.
“If young women are not taught to prioritise their own needs from an early age it can be very difficult for them to identify such signals. Boundary violations are facilitated in such situations.
“This particularly occurs in a traditionally patriarchal society where women have been treated as second class citizens for generations.
“As a GP I believe that by establishing a trusting, caring relationship with each patient a safe haven can be created so as to allow light to be shed on such a painful, devastating issue.
“I believe the GP can act as a witness to encourage and empower each victim be they female or male to believe that they deserve better and that they should seek outside help when they are ready.
“My role is to listen and empathise and in a non judgemental approach educate about the serious and often tragic consequences of abuse for the victim and her children.
“Furthermore I am obliged to inform the victim that in cases where there are concerns about the safety of the children I must report the matter to Tusla.
“I will also provide practical support in referring her to the local Gardai/Legal Aid Board/women’s aid/DVAS.
“I would wish to encourage the woman to believe in herself, that having survived an abusive relationship that she can access an inner courage to leave a violent, degrading relationship and make a better life for herself and her children.”
In April, the United Nations Population Fund, the U.N.’s reproductive and sexual health agency, predicted that six months of lockdown measures could lead to 31 million more cases of domestic abuse globally.
In Ireland, domestic violence reports to the Garda have increased by 30 per cent in some areas.
The Department of the Taoiseach has said that the current 2km travel restriction did not apply to people trying to escape domestic abuse.
An Garda Síochána have said that they will continue to work with domestic abuse victims and respond to any reports of domestic violence during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic quickly.
I BELIEVE THE GP CAN ACT AS A WITNESS TO ENCOURAGE AND EMPOWER EACH VICTIM BE THEY FEMALE OR MALE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY DESERVE BETTER AND THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK OUTSIDE HELP WHEN THEY ARE READY
- DR MARGARET CONNOLLY