Read on Twitter
Policy-friendly blog coming soon, but a few thoughts:
1st, links btw pandemics [incl. #COVID19] & #violence are [unfortunately] no surprise to stakeholders who work in this area. However, research directly linking the 2 is scarce. THREAD 1/n
https://twitter.com/DaveEvansPhD/status/1245352043046469632
1st, links btw pandemics [incl. #COVID19] & #violence are [unfortunately] no surprise to stakeholders who work in this area. However, research directly linking the 2 is scarce. THREAD 1/n
https://twitter.com/DaveEvansPhD/status/1245352043046469632
We started seeing media reports over a month ago from the first wave of #COVID19 affected countries, e.g. Wanquig’s reporting on Sixth Tone (March 2) from #China was one of the first widely circulated reports 2/n: https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1005253/domestic-violence-cases-surge-during-covid-19-epidemic
Since then, #Brazil, #Argentina, #Spain, #Singapore, #France, #Greece, #US, #UK ... the list continues.
I set up a google alert & the list yesterday was *pages* long [ex. here on March 22, from Argentina reported on Diario21, en espanol] 3/n: http://www.diario21.tv/notix2/movil2/?seccion=desarrollo_nota&id_nota=132124
I set up a google alert & the list yesterday was *pages* long [ex. here on March 22, from Argentina reported on Diario21, en espanol] 3/n: http://www.diario21.tv/notix2/movil2/?seccion=desarrollo_nota&id_nota=132124
While most media reports focus on the effects of quarantines & #COVID19 specific pathways [controlling access to masks, information etc.], we know from a broader lit on disasters, public health emergencies, economic crises & other pandemics that the pathways are much broader. 4/n
In the WP, we try to provide some evidence for these pathways, which may play out in diverse settings in different ways.
We discuss 9 pathways, some of these related 2 economic insecurity, reduction in health service responses or inability 2 temporarily escape abusers. 5/n
We discuss 9 pathways, some of these related 2 economic insecurity, reduction in health service responses or inability 2 temporarily escape abusers. 5/n
We also try to draw out some solutions which can be used in the short-term (& over the longer term) to mitigate against these adverse impacts. E.g.:
Social safety nets,
Expansion of shelters & safe housing,
Violence screening in health services responses.
6/n
Social safety nets, Expansion of shelters & safe housing, Violence screening in health services responses. 6/n
I don’t think any of these are *new*, but we hope that this summary can be helpful backstop 4 those working on these issues & advocating for a response.
We've also seen a lot of parallel guidance come out over the last week & have tried to aggregate that in our Annex.
7/n
We've also seen a lot of parallel guidance come out over the last week & have tried to aggregate that in our Annex.
7/n
*Note*: These are not the only pathways & types of violence we might be concerned about. Many cross cutting vulnerabilities we could not properly address, incl. xenophobia, violence against marginalized groups like indigenous, elderly & ppl of diverse sexual orientation.
8/n
8/n
There is much to do on the research agenda. Here we lay out 3 priority buckets of questions:
Understand magnitude of the problem
Elucidate pathways & intersections w/other econ/social vulnerabilities
Inform intervention & response options
9/n
Understand magnitude of the problem Elucidate pathways & intersections w/other econ/social vulnerabilities Inform intervention & response options9/n
Many thanks to all my great co-authors @alina_potts @modonnell1231 @DoctorKellyT @smoertelt @awakenvision & Nicole van Gelder - @CGDev for the great collaboration.
Also to the Gender & COVID-19 working group @RosemaryJMorgan @clarewenham @juliaheather 4 backstopping.
10/n
Also to the Gender & COVID-19 working group @RosemaryJMorgan @clarewenham @juliaheather 4 backstopping.
10/n
Plug: Check out the great resources being compiled in real time by the group [incl. links on violence resources] 11/n: https://twitter.com/RosemaryJMorgan/status/1243232361363447809
OK, enough about research. What is being done?
Already we've seen *some* strong policy responses from Governments. One of the 1st to take action was #Canada - allocating $50m to GBV shelters & sexual assault services [reported on March 18] 12/n: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html
Already we've seen *some* strong policy responses from Governments. One of the 1st to take action was #Canada - allocating $50m to GBV shelters & sexual assault services [reported on March 18] 12/n: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html
#Australia dedicating $150m under the national domestic violence initiative [under $1.5b umbrella fund incl. mental health services 
] [reported on March 28] 13/n: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/29/australian-government-to-pump-1bn-into-health-and-family-violence-services-as-coronavirus-spreads
] [reported on March 28] 13/n: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/29/australian-government-to-pump-1bn-into-health-and-family-violence-services-as-coronavirus-spreads
#France, trying some innovative measures, incl.
pop-up centers in grocery stores
hotel room payments temp escape
pharmacy "code word" emergency calls
+1.1m Euro boost for violence orgs: 14/n https://www.france24.com/en/20200330-france-to-put-domestic-violence-victims-in-hotels-as-numbers-soar-under-coronavirus-lockdown
pop-up centers in grocery storeshotel room payments temp escapepharmacy "code word" emergency calls+1.1m Euro boost for violence orgs: 14/n https://www.france24.com/en/20200330-france-to-put-domestic-violence-victims-in-hotels-as-numbers-soar-under-coronavirus-lockdown
The pharmacy "code word: #Mask19" whereby the pharmacist contacts protection services taken from #Spain, where this was put in place several weeks ago 15/n: https://spainsnews.com/coronavirus-in-the-canary-islands-women-victims-of-gender-violence-may-alert-them-of-their-situation-in-pharmacies-la-provincia/
Others, including #Greenland taking swift measures to tackle parallel risk factors, for example alcohol use/abuse during times of quarantine [went into effect last week] 16/n: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/29/alcohol-sales-banned-in-greenland-capital-during-lockdown
Curious to hear other efforts [incl those in non-English / Spanish sources] & grateful for all the continued work in this area everyone is doing to take swift action. 17/n
My hope is that, despite all the challenges, this experience can shine a light on this "hidden pandemic" of #violence & that we can come out on the other side with more attention, knowledge & action to make the world a safer place for everyone. /end
