Domestic violence against women and the introduction of safe house services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Women make up half of the countrys population, and knowing their status in various dimensions and proper planning to improve their status will be effective in the health of society as a whole. Womens health affects the health of the family and society and helps advance the goals of growth and development of the country.  Numerous studies in different countries show that women are more prone to mental disorders and psychosocial problems than men for various reasons. Women have responsibilities related to wife, mother, and caregiver roles and make up the bulk of the workforce and income in a quarter to a third of households.

Numerous studies show that one of the significant and influential factors on womens mental health in all parts of the world is domestic violence, one of the most common types of which is violence against women by a husband or partner.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights abuses in the world today, which is mainly unreported due to impunity, silence, and shame. Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace, and the realization of the rights of women and girls.

Statistics and data extracted from various studies show that violence against women is a global issue and is visible in most societies.  In Iran, unfortunately, there are no accurate statistics on the phenomenon of spousal abuse.  But the lack of statistics cannot be a valid reason to ignore it. Regardless of how individuals perceive and accept or reject domestic violence, Experimental observations and physical evidence indicate its widespread existence in Iranian households.Statistics from the World Health Organization show that 16 to 52 percent of women are abused by their partner, 28 percent of women in developed countries, and 18 to 67 percent of women in developing countries report physical abuse at least once.

In early 2020, the world became familiar with the "stay at home" and "best shelter" commands, unprecedented measures were taken to keep people safe from the coronavirus epidemic. However, home is not a safe place for countless women around the world who experience domestic violence. Survivors suddenly find themselves in front of the abusers; Forced cohabitation, job loss, increased stress, and anxiety about the future have increased tensions in the home and provided grounds for abusers.

Violence against women, especially domestic violence, has intensified as countries move in to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. In some countries, helpline calls have increased fivefold.

In April, UN President Antonio Guterres called for peace in homes; the home is where women should be more secure, but many women were more at risk by living at home.

In Iran, as in many other countries, the reports of the Forensic Medicine Organization as an organization that detects violence against individuals show an increase in the number of reports of psychological violence against women in 2020 compared to 2019. In this regard, and to respond appropriately and promptly to the needs of women under domestic violence and their children, safe houses under the supervision of the Welfare Organization have provided specialized services during the Covid 19 epidemic. This article tries to introduce the comprehensive services of social work intervention policies and methods while introducing technical services of safe houses in this period.

Keywords: Domestic Violence Against Women, Safe House, Covid-19 Epidemic