AMBROSIA HSG Shootforthemoon.Evenifyoumiss,youwilllandamongthestars.

Ambrosia Editorial

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE ?

Worldwide lockdowns and travel restrictions may halt the spread of Coronavirus, but such
impositions have also made the domestic scene a breeding ground for intimate terrorism and
violence. Predictable yet poorly prepared for, this burgeoning public health crisis was addressed
by UN Chief António Guterres on 6 April, 2020 in light of surging abuse reports around the globe.
Currently, support facilities and hotlines for victims of domestic violence are straining to meet the
overwhelming demand.

In Hubei province - the initial Coronavirus epicenter, the police force recorded a threefold increase in
domestic violence reports in one county alone during February. Across the globe in Brazil, a state-run
drop-in shelter for abuse sufferers observed soaring cases related to Coronavirus isolation. Here in
Vietnam, the Centre for Women and Development (CWD) - an institution directly subordinated to the
Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) has processed twice the number of emergency requests compared
to the same period last year.

Danger at home, danger outside

Domestic tension commonly arises from prolonged contact with abusers due to movement
restrictions. The build-up of aggression is compounded by financial setbacks resulting from limited
economic activities, only to erupt in physical and mental abuse targeting mostly children and women.
Another manifestation of abuse is coercive control, including such acts as: forced isolation from
support system (family & friends) and obsessive surveillance.

“Not now.”
Overstretched and underfunded support services have been operating at full capacity to tackle the
endemic problem of domestic abuse in areas under strict lockdown. Divorce proceedings have also
been postponed, prolonging the trapping of women in abusive marriages. The bleak prospect of
moving out is further jeopardizing the safety of abuse victims.

Vocabulary/Expression Highlights

1. a breeding ground: a place or set of circumstances suitable for or favorable to growth and
development

In Context: Shanty towns make a breeding ground for diseases due to poor hygienic conditions.

2. intimate terrorism occurs when one partner in a relationship, typically a man, uses coercive control
and power over the other partner, using threats, intimidation, and isolation

In Context: Acts of intimate terrorism include stringent and obsessive monitoring of behaviors.

3. burgeoning /adj/ (public health crisis): beginning to grow or develop rapidly

In Context: Early March saw a burgeoning demand for food with long shelf life due to the newly-
imposed lockdown.

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 AMBROSIA HSG Shootforthemoon.Evenifyoumiss,youwilllandamongthestars.

4. epicenter /n/ (of the Coronavirus): the central point of something

In Context: Wuhan was the initial epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak.

5. compound /v/ to make something bad become even worse by causing further damage or problems

In Context: The drought-induced famine was compounded by severe bushfires.

6. manifestation /n/ (of abuse): an event, action or thing that is a sign that something exists or is
happening

7. coercive /adj/ ​using force or the threat of force

8. overstretched /adj/ (healthcare system & support services): being made to do more than they are
capable of

In Context: The massive influx of tourists inevitably resulted in overstretched accommodation &
catering services.

9. endemic /adj/ (in areas under lockdown): regularly found in a particular place or among a particular
group of people and difficult to get rid of

In Context: Deep-seated corruption is endemic in Brazil’s government.

10. jeopardize /v/ to risk harming or destroying something/somebody

In Context: The recent adultery scandal jeopardized the career of the chairman of Taobao.

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