An official from the World Health Organization brought attention to one of the ugly side effects of coronavirus quarantines: domestic violence.
The United Nations has estimated that stay-at-home orders around the globe could lead to an additional 31 million cases of domestic abuse. An estimated 60% of women have been victims of domestic violence, and calls to abuse hotlines have jumped fivefold. At a press conference in London on Thursday, Dr. Hans Kluge, a regional director for the WHO in Europe, brought attention to the issue.
“If lockdowns were to continue for six months, we would expect an extra 31 million cases of gender-based violence globally,” Kluge said. “Evidence shows that interpersonal violence increases during every type of emergency.”
Kluge said governments around the world have a “moral obligation” to address domestic violence by ensuring families have access to services to help them during the pandemic. He said the WHO has been “deeply troubled” by the growing reports of domestic abuse throughout Europe.
While many victims do not report domestic violence, Kluge highlighted innovative tactics countries have developed to assist people struggling in violent homes. Italy has created an app through which victims can report abuse without making a call, and Spain has marketed a list of code words that can be told to a pharmacist to signal a need for help.
The WHO has been criticized by many, including President Trump, for its response to the coronavirus when it first appeared in Wuhan, China, late last year. Trump has suspended aid to the organization, pending an investigation into its “China-centric” response to the COVID-19 virus.
