Here in the UK, we’ve seen how the tension of lockdown and the fear of COVID-19 have manifested themselves in increased cases of violence in the home. Sadly, the same is true throughout the world.
The threat of coronavirus has been looming over refugee camps for many weeks now. Near Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, refugees from Myanmar’s conflict have been on lockdown in the world’s largest refugee camp since mid-March.
And now, on 2 June, confirmation that a 71-year-old man has died from Coronavirus, will only heighten emotions.
A perfect storm
A new World Vision report, Aftershocks – A Perfect Storm, looks at information from our programmes, alongside call volumes to children’s helplines and domestic violence reports from around the world.
Its findings give a stark warning that parents and caregivers are increasingly turning to physical aggression as the financial and emotional pressures of the pandemic worsen.
The report reveals that in Bangladesh:
- Cases of children being beaten by parents or guardians shot up by 42% in April 2020
- There was a 40% increase of calls to the child helpline
- 50% of those interviewed said the safety and security of girls was an issue in the lockdown