When silence becomes deafening: we cannot pretend we don't hear the cry for help of domestic violence victims

As the isolation rules become more restrictive, law enforcement and civil society representatives in several countries recognize that during the pandemic, victims of domestic violence are being held captive. One after the other, European countries register considerable increases in the number of calls to assistance services dedicated to these victims.

Paradoxically, the Trust Line for Women and Girls 0 8008 8008 does not register an increase of the reports regarding the cases of domestic violence in this period. However, this does not mean that the phenomenon of violence in the Republic of Moldova has diminished. On the contrary, it is a very worrying sign, especially now, when the majority of law enforcement officials are involved in carrying out restrictive measures to prevent the spread of the virus COVID -19.

Daniela MISAIL-NICHITIN, Director of Women’s Program of the International Center „La Strada Moldova”explained how the relatively constant number of violence-related calls to the Women and Girls Trust Line can be justified: “There are at least two factors that directly influence this number. The first is about the demographic characteristic of the Republic of Moldova. Most of the population lives in the rural area. The way they run their households, the fact that in most cases a family has a house andan annex buildingallows keeping some distance between the victim and aggressor. At the same time, most rural families are now involved in agricultural work, which, in turn, allows keeping the distance between the victim and offender for a long period of the day and weakens the tensions between family members. ”

On the other hand, the victims in urban areas do not report these cases because they are forced into silence by the aggressor. “They do not have the possibility to call, write or speak with a trustworthy person, being constantly supervised by the aggressor. Their silence is deafening now. And when the tension in these families reaches the highest levels, violence escalates in cases of abuse committed with particular cruelty. Those breaking cases of domestic violence and sexual abuse committed with extreme cruelty during the last few weeks show that Moldova, unfortunately, does not differ from other states in terms of a phenomenon so painful for the whole society” explains the Director of the Women's Program.

What can we do?

• As citizens, we can show more attention to our neighbors, relatives and friends. This is the case when listening to the noise over the neighbors' wall or fence is not a sign of poor education, but could save one's health or life. Keep in touch with the woman or girl you think might need help on a daily basis. Find out how she feels, what the children are doing and if they need something.

• Establish a safe communication channel and a password to which you should know that the intervention of certain services (social assistant, police officer, 112 service) would be needed.

• Encourage her, if possible, to call the Trust line for Women and Girls 0 8008 8008 or call on her behalf.

 

What should every woman or girl who is a victim of domestic violence know in this period?

• Even during pandemic, victims could be helped.
• Even during pandemic, the aggressor can be isolated, and she and the children can benefit from placement and provision of the necessary supplies for a period of one month. The placement is provided by the support organizations of the National Coalition Life without Violence, La Strada Moldova being its member.
• The Trust line for Women and Girls continues to provide legal assistance, psychological counseling services, both by phone and online.
• The consellors of the Women and Girls Trust Line keep the communication with the victim and facilitate the process of recovering the victim from violent environment  from the first call until the victim and her children are safely placed.

We do rely on the support of the media in disseminating this information in support of all victims of domestic violence, who, during this period, need our help more than ever.

In March 2020, the Trust line for Women and Girls 0 8008 8008 registered 114 calls (compared to 204 calls in March 2019). Out of this number, 65 calls refer to cases of domestic violence (in 44 cases the victims called and in 21 cases – community members). Five (5) calls refered to 3 cases of sexual violence (in none of these cases the victim called). The majority of calls were registered on Mondays and Fridays.