As the nation grapples with the spread of COVID-19, Nigerians are being told to go home and stay home for their safety and everyones. But for survivors of domestic violence, including children exposed to it, the home may not be a safe option as the unprecedented stress of the pandemic could breed unsafe in homes where violence may not have been an issue before.
Domestic violence accounts for 10% of emergency calls, Community Call Center data shows. Violence in the home can also lead to adverse health and mental health outcomes, including a higher risk of chronic disease, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and risky sexual and substance use behaviors.
Now, experts worry that all these numbers could increase dramatically during this period of social distancing and quarantine. Josephine Nzerem, a Social Entrepreneur who was elected an Ashoka Fellow for her innovative work in the protection of women from disinheritance, has found in her research that stress and social isolation can raise the risk of domestic violence. Violence against women tends to increase during every type of emergency, including epidemics. Women who are displaced, refugees, and living in conflict-affected areas are particularly vulnerable.
To curb this reality, The Community Stakeholders for Social Good represented by Mmanti Umoh signed up a partnership with Emem Ette Esq, Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria Akwa Ibom State Branch, who declared: ‘‘These days and the weeks ahead are especially dangerous for women, men, and children. We are all facing major psychological provocation through isolation or quarantine, but women and sometimes children in high-risk homes are facing a particularly enervating stress test.
We, therefore, must now pay particular attention to this issue and expand our actions to stop violence against women, children and also men.’’
Mmanti shared “COVID-19 is having both short-term and far-reaching implications for our families, friends, and colleagues. It also has an impact on our work and will affect the achievement of our shared vision of a world without violence against children. As the virus continues to spread across the world, we are all facing multiple new stresses, including physical and psychological health risks, school and business closures, family confinement, isolation, and economic vulnerability. Through all of that, children are particularly vulnerable”.
It is worthy to note that domestic violence occurs in families of all races, cultures, religions, and income levels.
It has also been found that although sexual abuse and rape are common among people facing domestic violence, many find it very difficult to talk about this aspect of abuse. Callers feel more comfortable talking to an advocate who deals specifically with sexual assault.
The CS4SG-AKS, therefore, provides information and resources for survivors of domestic violence and those seeking to help them. Their services are available to domestic violence survivors throughout the 31 Local Government Areas.
Their Hotlines provide safety planning, referrals, and connections to emergency housing for victims of domestic violence. You can contact the Domestic Violence Hotline by phone or WhatsApp. Our crisis center has confidential 24-hour crisis lines, support, advocates, and other services.
The Community Stakeholder is key to a thriving community.
The Community Stakeholders are an ecosystem of local Business Owners, Community leaders, Corporate Organizations, Institutions, Academia, Local Entrepreneurs and professionals solving the most pressing social and environmental issues in our communities.
All of our services are 100% voluntary and 100% confidential/anonymous. Rest assured that any information you wish to disclose to us will be kept in the utmost confidentiality.
The hotline provides assistance in Ibibio, English and Pidgin English language.
