Impacts Of Covid-19 Pandemic and Domestic Violence: Case Study of A One-Stop Center in Manipur

Abstract

Amidst the trending Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, domestic violence is one of the surging issues across the country. As a precautionary step to prevent the spread of COVID-19, lockdowns and quarantines are imposed everywhere. Due to the imposed lockdown and quarantine, mandatory directives are to close all institutions, shut down transport systems, and stay home and safe. This 'stay home and stay safe' implemented for the good of the people becomes detrimental to many victims of domestic violence during the lockdown. To know the reason behind it, the linkages between the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic violence in Manipur are studied. This study focuses on analyzing the relevant literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic violence by identifying the different facets of domestic violence during the lockdown and also exploring the linkages between COVID-19 and domestic violence in Manipur. The study interviewed some case stories of domestic violence victims who registered at the One-Stop Center, Imphal East, Manipur, during the Pandemic. The major leading factors of domestic violence during the lockdown were the increased workload of homemakers, economic instability, food insecurity, health crisis, and closure of institutions. The study also found that physical, economic, and verbal and emotional (mental) abuses are the main forms of domestic violence. However, among the forms of DV, sexual abuse was one of the least visible violence during the Pandemic. It shows that pre-existing gender inequalities are continuing to some extent and observes that they become worse during the lockdown.