We have all been facing unprecedented situations lately due to the coronavirus pandemic. The difficulties that occurred in the small society of Cyprus due to restrictive measures are multiple, however, the data of domestic violence in Cyprus presented a massive change.
According to Iro Michael, head of the Emergency Center and Research Center of the Association for the Prevention and Response of Domestic Violence (SPAVO), from the day the first confirmed case in Cyprus was announced until March 31, there was a dramatic increase in incidents. domestic or even domestic violence. The increase reaches 47% in calls and reports of violence.
Ms. Michael spoke to Offsite about the reasons for the recent increase in violence in Cyprus due to the restrictive measures and referred to various tactics that one might use in order to intimidate and control its victims in the midst of a pandemic.
The data of domestic violence in Cyprus
According to the SPAVO Officer, domestic violence is a timeless social phenomenon that needs continuous management, prevention and treatment in order to support and protect the victims, as well as the treatment of perpetrators through appropriate penalties and treatment programs.
Significant increase in domestic violence due to restrictive measures
Ms. Michael said that at this time there is an increase in cases of domestic violence as a negative consequence of restrictive measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. This increase has also been observed in the services provided by the Association for the Prevention and Response to Domestic Violence (SPAVO).
47% increase in calls and reports of domestic violence
What has been observed in the report for the month of March regarding the demand for the services of SPAVO from the day the first confirmed case was announced in Cyprus until March 31, is a dramatic increase of the cases of domestic and / or domestic violence reported to SPAVO .
As announced in the SPAVO Press Release published on April 4, there has been an increase of 47% in calls and reports of domestic violence compared to previous months.
The Helpline 1440 call logging system recorded 2075 calls for the reported 23-day period in March. Out of the 2075 calls, it was possible to answer 921, while the remaining 1154 calls were not answered due to the fullness of the line.
Citizens' requests observed
In addition, during this period of 23 days, there was an increased demand both for requests for individual counseling (a total of 12 new requests for individual counseling) for people experiencing violence in their family or partner, and for requests for admission to Hostels that has SPAVO (a total of 15 new requests for hosting).
10 incidents per day
In addition, there have been 230 reports of Domestic Violence, - an proportion of 10 cases per day of domestic violence in the first month of implementation of the restrictive measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What are the main causes of violence?
The causes and occasions that lead to domestic and domestic violence are varied. For the time being, the existing living conditions due to the restrictive measures create new balances or imbalances in the relationships between individuals, which in cases of domestic or partner violence either lead to the manifestation of violent or aggressive behaviors between family members or escalate the intensity, frequency, and severity of a pre-existing violent or abusive relationship between family members or the couple, particularly against women and children.
Tactics of the perpetrator due to coronavirus
In this context the restriction due to its pandemic COVID-19 may be used as a method or tactic by the perpetrator to intimidate and control victims in a variety of ways, such as:
- Observing the perpetrator in protection measures and exposing women and children to increased risk of the virus.
- Misinformation of women by the perpetrator about the danger of the pandemic resulting in prolonged fear but also the strengthening of staying at home and the fear of seeking help
- Threats by the perpetrator to expel women and children away from home and exposure to the virus.
- Detention by the perpetrator of personal protective equipment, e.g. masks, gloves, antiseptic liquids, medicines, etc.
- Motivate women to overuse personal protective equipment to the point of bleeding or wounding.
Detention or use of children as a measure of psychological violence.
Obstructing women from seeking medical and other help in case of symptoms.
New risks for victims due to restrictive measures
All of this puts people who are subject to domestic violence at new risk, increases their level of fear, and may be forced into acts that they do not want or are prevented from taking the necessary measures for their protection, safety and well-being.
How the victim should act
Ms. Michael stressed that the restrictive measures have been taken in order to protect the health of all of us. This does not mean, however, that people who are subjected to domestic violence must endure the violence that is inflicted on them, nor that they must remain silent, unable to reveal the violence that occurs. If there is an ongoing incident of violence, the person himself or herself third parties who see the incident can call the emergency line 112 directly for the immediate intervention of the Police.
We all have a responsibility
In addition, either the victims themselves or third parties, e.g. Neighbors, relatives or even friends, who come to their senses or are revealed by the victim himself that there is domestic violence, can call the 24-hour and toll-free Helpline 1440 for domestic violence issues operated by SPAVO, in order to inform for their rights and choices, as well as for the services offered by SPAVO, the provision of consulting support, or their referral to other competent services.
Calling Line 1440, a woman victim of domestic violence can request to be accommodated (with her children, if she has one) in one of the Accommodation Spaces owned by SPAVO.
If you hear or suspect that someone is experiencing violence, you have the responsibility to call either the Police on 112 or the Helpline 1440 for assistance.
How SPAVO can help
SPAVO continues to provide its services to people experiencing violence, having taken all the necessary protection measures based on the decrees and announcements of the government and the competent ministries.
Hosting spaces
The Helpline 1440 continues to operate 24 hours a day, all days of the year, as well as the electronic communication via email. Also, the Hosting Areas for abused women and their children are fully operational.
In order to maximally serve the requests for hosting in the structures of the Association, SPAVO has proceeded to further development of the hosting service through the finding of alternative hosting spaces.
New measures due to coronavirus
Responding to the needs created after the implementation of the restrictive measures due to the coronavirus, SPAVO adapted the individual counseling services that are currently offered to victims and perpetrators of domestic violence by telephone or video conference, which have already been utilized by 17 people.
In addition, SPAVO is in the process of expanding its services, through the development of an SMS service, as well as the live chat service through the website of the Association. All the services of SPAVO are offered free of charge.
Source: offsite