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Coronavirus in Vietnam Claims Zero Lives But Boosts Domestic Violence

VOA News

   In Vietnam, the Peace House Hotline and the Sunshine Hotline are two
   organizations that take calls from those seeking help in cases of
   violence against women or children. In recent months, the number of
   calls has skyrocketed -- twice the volume as at the same time last year
   -- and signs point to the coronavirus pandemic as part of the reason.
   By other measures, Vietnam did a stellar job of fighting the disease.
   It is the most populous nation to suffer zero COVID-19 deaths despite
   its border with China. That did not spare the Southeast Asian nation
   from the other repercussions of the pandemic, however, including an
   increase in domestic violence.
   It is a trend seen around the world, with many nations reporting higher
   rates of domestic violence amid pandemic-induced lockdowns.
   As elsewhere, stakeholders in Vietnam say that as the lockdown forced
   more people to stay home from work or school, they faced a higher risk
   of violence, sexual abuse or other exploitation in the home.
   Violence in lockdown
   The higher risk stems not just from the fact that potential victims are
   at home more of the time, but also from the fact that they are not at
   the office, school, or other places where people could spot signs of
   abuse and get them help.

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