Abstract
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, incidents of domestic abuse have increased substantially around the globe. The lockdown and social distancing measures which have been adopted by many states, although necessary to limit the spread of the virus, have meant that those already living in abusive relationships have found themselves to be even more isolated in such situations. Additionally, the anxiety created by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased tensions within many relationships, all too often resulting in violence. The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that, at the very time of rising rates of domestic abuse, services available to victims were reduced. Indeed, UN Women, the UN entity dedicated to gender equality, has termed violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic as being the ‘shadow pandemic’. The paradox for those experiencing domestic abuse is that, while home may be the safest place to be as regards the COVID-19 pandemic, it is conversely the most dangerous place in relation to the ‘shadow pandemic’ of domestic abuse. This paper examines the increase in domestic abuse since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and will focus on the responses of UN entities such as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), UN Women, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women. In particular, the paper considers the recommendations which have been made by such entities regarding the measures which should be adopted by governments to address domestic abuse in the context of the pandemic.
Presenters
Ronagh McQuiggSenior Lecturer, School of Law, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Domestic Abuse, COVID-19 Pandemic, United Nations
