The hell of confinement for victims of domestic violence
he report is the result of a research partnership between the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victims of conjugal violence, the UQAM Community Service as well as researchers from UQAM and the University of Montreal.
Nearly eight months after the start of the pandemic, the organizations that come to the aid of victims of domestic violence are unanimous: confinement accentuates the phenomenon and raises new obstacles to help the women who are the prey.
"The confinement has increased tensions and episodes of violence in many homes," says Claudine Thibaudeau, social worker at SOS Violences Conjugales. Victims no longer have the respite that certain outings gave them, such as going to work. And without external eyes, the aggressors limit themselves less, because there is no longer any need to hide the wounds and the marks of their violence. "
The organization has received an increasing number of calls for help for several years. The pandemic has reinforced this growth but, at the same time, Ms. Thibaudeau reveals that requests for accommodation have decreased. “In these uncertain times, victims are more reluctant to leave their abusive partner. They choose to wait for things to get better, even if it means putting themselves in danger, ”she said.
"The confinement has increased tensions and episodes of violence in many homes," says Claudine Thibaudeau, social worker at SOS Violences Conjugales. Victims no longer have the respite that certain outings gave them, such as going to work. And without external eyes, the aggressors limit themselves less, because there is no longer any need to hide the wounds and the marks of their violence. "
The organization has received an increasing number of calls for help for several years. The pandemic has reinforced this growth but, at the same time, Ms. Thibaudeau reveals that requests for accommodation have decreased. “In these uncertain times, victims are more reluctant to leave their abusive partner. They choose to wait for things to get better, even if it means putting themselves in danger, ”she said.
Escalation of violence
Loss of employment, upheaval of habits, health fears… The current situation generates an increase in stress and anxiety for many citizens. In homes where a dynamic of domestic violence was already established, or in the process of being, these ills may have exacerbated the attacks.
“Having less contact with the outside world was an aggravating factor,” says Anik Paradis, coordinator for Info-Femmes.
For the victims, who have less possibility of leaving the house, to breathe or to organize their departure,
but also for the aggressors, who could find there a feeling of impunity.
Loss of employment, upheaval of habits, health fears… The current situation generates an increase in stress and anxiety for many citizens. In homes where a dynamic of domestic violence was already established, or in the process of being, these ills may have exacerbated the attacks.
“Having less contact with the outside world was an aggravating factor,” says Anik Paradis, coordinator for Info-Femmes.
For the victims, who have less possibility of leaving the house, to breathe or to organize their departure,
but also for the aggressors, who could find there a feeling of impunity.
More difficult to call for help
Confined with their executioner, deprived of contact with their loved ones, many victims have encountered difficulties in calling for help.
“Some women no longer have the time to call us alone, or just a few minutes because their attacker has gone to the convenience store. We have therefore developed more discreet communication channels, ”explains Ms. Thibaudeau.
Since mid-September, SOS Violences Conjugales has been reachable by text, chat and email,
in addition to its telephone line open 24 hours a day.
Confined with their executioner, deprived of contact with their loved ones, many victims have encountered difficulties in calling for help.
“Some women no longer have the time to call us alone, or just a few minutes because their attacker has gone to the convenience store. We have therefore developed more discreet communication channels, ”explains Ms. Thibaudeau.
Since mid-September, SOS Violences Conjugales has been reachable by text, chat and email,
in addition to its telephone line open 24 hours a day.
Obstacles to relocation
Health restrictions have also discouraged women from leaving their violent homes. “Public health says to stay at home so some victims do not dare to ask for help. Others were discouraged by the constraints to relocate, in particular the mandatory quarantine in shelters, ”says Louise Riendeau, co-responsible for political files at the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victims of domestic violence.
The reception facilities are however still open and their teams are urging the government to give them priority access to screening for COVID-19, which would make it possible to shorten the quarantine of residents with negative results
and would encourage victims to come there. refuge.
Health restrictions have also discouraged women from leaving their violent homes. “Public health says to stay at home so some victims do not dare to ask for help. Others were discouraged by the constraints to relocate, in particular the mandatory quarantine in shelters, ”says Louise Riendeau, co-responsible for political files at the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victims of domestic violence.
The reception facilities are however still open and their teams are urging the government to give them priority access to screening for COVID-19, which would make it possible to shorten the quarantine of residents with negative results
and would encourage victims to come there. refuge.
