UN Warns of ‘Shadow Pandemic’ as domestic violence cases surge

Rallies were held around the world Wednesday on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

This year, activists are noting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence. The theme for 2020 is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”

“As countries implemented lockdown measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus, violence against women, especially domestic violence, intensified – in some countries, calls to helplines have increased fivefold. In others, formal reports of domestic violence have decreased as survivors find it harder to seek help and access support through the regular channels,” U.N. Women wrote on its website.