India Ravenhearst
Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse
With the introduction of Covid-19, millions of individuals across the globe have been forced to make the decision to stay at home and isolate themselves with companions. As a result of the stay-at-home orders, the surge of partners who experience domestic abuse has skyrocketed. In just Canada alone, there has been a 20-30% increase in gender-based abuse rates within certain regions. For individuals who have to live with abusive partners, the constant time spent with them has created a surge of urgency for victims who are being put in unsafe situations.
These cases of abuse have not only occurred in just our immediate vicinity. Countries from all over the world are experiencing this increase in abuse. This is demonstrated through an increase in calls to domestic abuse hotlines and emergency services, where victims are having to call to seek help from their partners.
The problem with all of this lies in the control an individual seeks within these relationships. Those who are placed in a home with abusive individuals are forced to be in constant complete control of their partners, with no safe conceivable escape as a worldwide pandemic ensues outside.
In all of this, it is important to spread awareness of these issues. In Canada, there has been an increase in government funds allocated towards shelters for women, but many are unaware that they have been deemed an essential service. An awareness campaign, “Signal for Help,” has taken social media by storm in an attempt to give victims a safe way to ask for help. A one-handed signal can be used on video calls to silently ask for help. There are also many hotlines available across the country and worldwide, that victims can call 24/7 to seek help.
Individuals who are stuck at home with partners who are abusive to them have been placed in a dangerous situation, while many of us are at home safe with our families. In this sense, we can do our part in spreading awareness of the safe options available to those who feel isolated by the situation they are living in.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, please seek help. Listed below are some available resources.
Signal for Help: https://canadianwomen.org/signal-for-help/
List of Hotlines: https://www.samrazafar.com/resources
Shelter Safe: https://www.sheltersafe.ca/
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