Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence in Bangladesh

Abstract

Highlights COVID-19 has increased the risk of domestic violence. There are numerous reports and unreported cases of domestic violence in Bangladesh, including physical, financial, psychological, and sexual abuse. Tele-counseling and video-counseling mental health services may help to the victim's mental health. The government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), voluntary organizations should use various media and platforms to raise awareness about domestic violence.

IPV and COVID-19: A systematic review of the literature

“…Following the lead of previous reviews, also in our work we found a sharp spike in DV cases reported around the globe (Agüero 2020; Baig et al 2020;Barbara et al 2020;Boserup et al 2020;Bradley et al 2020;Chandan et al 2020;Gebrewahd et al 2020;Ghoshal et al 2020;Goh et al 2020;Gosangi et al 2020;Jarnecke et al 2020;Jetelina et al 2020;Kaukinen et al 2020;Kofman et al 2020;Kumar 2020;Leslie et al 2020;Mahase et al 2020;Mazza et al 2020;Neil 2020;Nigam 2020;Piquero et al 2020;Qin et al 2020;Roesch et al 2020;Roseboom et al 2020;Sifat 2020;Telles et al 2020;Tochie et al 2020;Vieira et al 2020;Yahya et al 2020;Zargham et al 2020). For example, Aguero (2020) in a study conducted in Peru, one of the several countries which imposed a national lockdown in March, found that the incidence rate of calls to helplines centres increased around 48% between April and July 2020.…”

“…Results showed how 4.249 women and 456 children were subjected to domestic violence in April 2020. Among these numbers, 1.672 women and 424 children experienced this for the first time (Sifat 2020). Also, in Italy, reports from the Italian national network of shelters for women subjected to gender-based violence (DIRE) showed how 2.867 women contacted 80 shelters from March 2 to April 5, (Bellizzi et al 2020), a sharp rise (74.5%) compared to the 2018 records.…”

Sexual violence against women in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the enormous magnitude of its devastation has wreaked across the world ( Tandon, 2020 ). In times of the COVID-19 crisis, domestic and sexual violence, suicide, anxiety, mental disorders, depressive disorders are already increasing in Bangladesh ( Sifat, 2020 ).…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of the Rickshaw-Puller in Bangladesh

“…The first confirmed coronavirus case was reported on March 8, 2020, in Bangladesh (World Health Organization, 2020b. In times of the COVID-19 crisis, suicide, domestic violence, mental disorders, anxiety, depressive disorders are already increasing in Bangladesh (Sifat, 2020a). It has been estimated that a quarter of the population, including rickshaw-puller in Bangladesh, is struggling with mental health problems while managing the challenges of daily life.…”