Gender-based violence and COVID-19

Crisis situations often lead to more violence. With gender-based violence being one of the most common types of violence, it is no surprise that the pandemic has intensified vulnerabilities.

The pathways to gender-based violence during crises are manifold. Social and physical isolation, sheltering in place can increase conflict in the household and aggravate mental health issues ( which can lead to alcohol abuse) which in turns motivates violence.  

Physical isolation not only separates those who experience violence from their informal support networks, but they also allow for a perpetrator to better manipulate and isolate their victim. The closing of many services may lead those who experience gender-based violence to believe that shelters and victims support centres are also shut down, letting many potential instances of gender-based violence go unreported. 

Did COVID-19 increase the numbers of reported cases of gender-based violence in Canada? The data is unclear. Some organizations have seen an increase in service usage, others have experienced stagnation, and others have reported a decrease. More research and data is needed at this point. 

However, the organizations that have reported spikes in service usage also said that the situations increased in intensity. Some women diagnosed with COVID-19 reported their abusive partners having removed them from the home, some would call services after verbal abuse had escalated to physical abuse. 

Despite the lack of clarity around the real impact COVID-19 had on the incidence of gender-based violence, the government of Canada has taken steps to help support victims: 

 

Indigenous Services Canada received $10 million from the federal government to fund its network of 46 emergency shelters in Yukon and on reserves that offer support to Indigenous women and children. Up to $30 million of the $40 million the federal government gave Women and Gender Equality Canada is dedicated to addressing the immediate needs of shelters and sexual assault centres. Provincial courts continue to hear urgent matters, including family matters, throughout the pandemic. Most provinces and territories made shelters essential services. The government of Yukon provided phones and four months of free internet services to 325 women at risk of violence and developed, with the help of Public Safety Canada, a community safety plan for the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter. 

In October of 2020, the government announced it would increase its support to organizations supporting those who experience gender-based violence to a total of $100 million. Whether or not this will substantially help support providers remains to be seen.

That being said, the government has also put in place a page listing important resources for those who experience gender-based violence: Domestic violence - Canada.ca. If you or a loved one find yourselves in an urgent situation, best is to call 9-1-1. 

You can find safety from violence and support while being safe from the novel coronavirus.