Domestic Violence and Covid-19: Policy and Pattern Analysis of Reported Cases at the Family Counseling Center (FCC) in Alwar, India

Abstract

Introduction: The paper aims to assess the pattern of reporting complaints at the Family Counseling Centre (FCC), the nature and form of domestic violence (DV) during the lockdown, and the challenges addressed by the FCC, located in Alwar, India. Methods: The methodology is considered an event study methodology. The study was conducted using the records available with the FCC. Using monthly time series data for 33 months (from April 2019 to December 2021), the time series analysis was done to bring out the pattern of reporting, nature and form of DV. Interviews were conducted with the counselors to document the challenges faced by them. Results: The analysis shows that the reported DV-cases decreased by 23 percent during the lockdown. Challenges faced during the lockdown by the FCC in the existing policy guideline was that the lockdown disrupted the physical access of the routine complaint system. The COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions on mobility explain why only a portion of the women reach the center. The average decrease in reporting masked significant information about altered patterns and low reporting does not translate to a decline in violence at home. Conclusions: The average change in DV during lockdown can be very misleading when thinking about a reframing policy response in India. Therefore, these findings should not be restricted to lockdown but are viewed broadly in the explanation that can be extended in policy to include the role of chronic stressors in accentuating violence. Policy Implications: The study has significant implications for realigning and redesigning institutional strategies to overcome cultural barriers for seamless access to the FCC. This would enable a transition of counseling from event-based rescue to building resilience by adopting a lifelong learning and well-being approach.