INCREASE IN THE CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING COVID-19: A PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENCE MECHANISM AGAINST STRESS.

Abstract

With the widespread of the pandemic COVID-19, commonly known as Corona virus the normal lifestyle of people across the globe has been disturbed and jumbled up. Humans who are social beings are asked to maintain social distance from one another as no cure has been found yet and this is the only preventive step. Many countries have been put on lockdown, where people are asked to stay at home with minimal movement in the city only in cases of necessity and emergency. For certain section of people it is possible to work from home and manage normal routine but the major distress has been seen in the life of daily wage workers and labourers. In this distressing situation of social and economic crisis there has also been increase in the number of cases reported for domestic violence and abuse. The study aims to understand the nature of distress leading to domestic violence, is it a way of coping: a displacement of stress. Secondary data was collected by analysing the reports by 'National Commission for Women' (NCW); 'Ministry of Women and Child Development'; 'United Nations' and 'World Health Organisation', a survey was also collected (N=105) to know the general perspective of people. The study also aims to explore the ways in which this situation can be controlled.