UN warns of global upsurge in domestic violence since COVID-19 lockdowns

The United Nations has warned of a global upsurge of domestic violence since the imposition of COVID-19 lockdowns calling on governments to step up prosecution of abusers and set up emergency-warning systems in pharmacies.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who sounded the warning described it as a “horrifying global surge” which must be checked to prevent violence against women.

“We know lockdowns and quarantines are essential to suppressing COVID-19. But they can trap women with abusive partners,” Guterres said in a video message posted on Twitter on Sunday. “For many women and girls, the threat looms largest where they should be safest – in their own homes.”

Guterres pressed for safe ways “for women to seek support, without alerting their abusers”.

“Together, we can and must prevent violence everywhere, from war zones to people’s homes, as we work to beat COVID-19,” he said, as he called “for peace at home – and in homes – around the world.”

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“I urge all governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women a key part of their national response plans for COVID-19.”

Meanwhile, Spain has reported 4,273 new cases of the coronavirus with 637 new deaths, the fourth day the daily totals have declined from the previous day.

The total deaths in the country from COVID-19 as of Monday stands at 13,055 among 135,032 cases and for the fourth day in a row, the numbers have dropped from the previous day in Spain as global deaths near 70,000.

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