The Shadow Pandemic: Domestic Abuse and COVID-19

This episode explores Dr. Ronagh McQuigg’s research into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Ronagh shares her reflections on the effect of lockdown and social distancing measures implemented due to the Covid-19 pandemic on rates of domestic violence. She points to the numerous ways in which the pandemic has exacerbated the situation for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and made it more difficult to reach women in crisis. Dr. McQuigg also discusses the ways in which human rights frameworks can be used to mitigate against domestic abuse. Further reading: Dr McQuigg's original QPol blog , McQuigg (2018) 'Is it time for a UN Treaty on Violence Against Women?' , McQuigg (2014) on human rights law, the courts, and domestic violence.