COVID-19 lockdown: A breeding ground for domestic abuse

WHILE SOME of us watched the exponential curve of COVID-19 cases and deaths rising around the world – including Australia – I was keenly aware of other curves also rising. I watched the unintentional adverse impact of keeping people at home.

Apart from increased suicides due to isolation and mental health issues and poor quality of life due to elective surgeries being put on hold, there were many more calls made to domestic abuse helplines.

In NSW there has been a 75 per cent increase in Google searches relating to domestic violence since the first COVID-19 case. While calls to helplines increased at first, calls to 1800 RESPECT in Victoria fell by 30 per cent. This was followed by an increase in domestic violence incidents, as victims were hesitant to use their phone.

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