Abstract
The present study aims to analyze the role of social support in the lives of women survivors of domestic violence who filed a complaint with the Mahila Salah and Suraksha Kendra (MSSK) Alwar, India, while residing with the abusive husband and his family during the lockdown period of COVID-19. The study explores the role of MSSK with extended vulnerability of women during the lockdown period at large. This study adopts an exploratory qualitative method. A total of 36 married women who had filed a complaint with MSSK before and during the lockdown were included. Interviews with the women were held through telephonic conversations on vulnerability, coping mechanism and extent and forms of social support. Thematic content analysis was done in a stepwise manner. Results show that degeneration of social support model is time -bound and the accuracy of applying this model wane under extended condition of vulnerability caused due to COVID-19. MSSK can expand support by creating and integrating virtual community networks to detect and deter violence during the lockdown. The study suggests that the government can ensure and empower bystanders with skills of modern communication. The existing physical institutional delivery mechanism need to evolve strategies that are resilient to emerging threats from the vulnerable ecosystem.
Highlights
The current pandemic of COVID-19 has led the world into a frenzy
The present study aims to analyze the situation regarding the role of social support to women survivors who filed a complaint with the Mahila Salah and Suraksha Kendra (MSSK) Alwar, India, while residing with the abusive husband and his family members during the COVID-19
The pandemic has led to an imbalance in various factors and a new social equilibrium
Summary
The current pandemic of COVID-19 has led the world into a frenzy. Practicing safe hygiene, social distancing, and travel restrictions have become common sights throughout the globe. The Government of India announced a nationwide lockdown from March 25 to May 17, 2020, to contain the spread of the disease This unprecedented crisis has led to rapidly increasing stress, sudden shifts in daily routines, unemployment, alcohol abuse, and a rapid onset of scarcity in the availability of essential commodities alongside limited access to social support systems. The accumulation of stressful events poses a risk of significant physical and/or emotional harm (Campbell et al, 2017; Catalá-Miñana et al, 2017) These adverse effects may extend for long periods due to continued abuse, ongoing psychological effects of abuse, or fear of the abuser (Stewart & Vigod, 2017). Current situations further enable the abuser to hush the victim
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