March, 2020. The world is experiencing the COVID-19 crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for people to practice social distancing, self-isolation, and staying in doors when at all possible.
For some this is a welcomed break. A few weeks off in the midst of a hectic work and study schedule. For others, recently laid off due to the financial crisis, this is a financial crisis as well as a health one. But for the people that are now trapped at home, in quarantine with their abusers? This is a different type of struggle.
With no escape to work and/or school, or even to daily activities going to the store, people experiencing domestic violence are having a different type of deadly crisis. A census from Canada.ca found that 32% of Canadians were abused before the age of 16-years-old. The same census also found that ten percent of Canadians were sexually abused before they turned 16.
Despite being a first-world country, with high rates of gender equality, education, and health care, 11% of LGBTQ+ women and three percent of straight women in Canada report being sexually abused. The same study also found that the age bracket between 15 and 24-years-old in Canada are the most likely to experience sexual-partner based violence.
A census by Canada.ca found that women were four times as likely to be victims of domestic partner violence. It also found that they were twice as likely to be beaten, threatened with a weapon, raped, sexually assaulted, or physically assaulted. These women are now exceptionally vulnerable to the perpetrators of the violence occurring in their own homes.
In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, University of Toronto researchers estimate that the virus is currently on track to infect between 35 and 70% of Canadians. Colleges and Universities have pushed reopening their campus’ to September of this year, from the previously scheduled April sixth. Last week Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a state of emergency, and asked that all non-essential business’ in the province close immediately.
This means that in theory, everyone who does not work in an essential service position, such as a grocery store cashier or police officer, will be trapped in their home in self-isolation. Every one of the people who are now trapped at home, with an abuser that is also confined to the same house, are now spending 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week with their abusers.
There is concern over the closure of women’s shelters and domestic violence shelters as they are deemed non-essential services. If you, or someone you know is in self-isolation or quarantine with someone who is abusing them, please contact the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 1-866-863-0511.
Written by: Devon-Clare Banfield
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