SPOTLIGHT

(Shadow Pandemic Comes to Light)

SCORP CIMSA FK UNPAD

Have you ever heard about the shadow pandemic? 90 countries were locked down for several months to try to limit the spread of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, but this restriction leads to another problem. An increase of domestic violence around the globe was reported, which often has stayed in the shadow even before the pandemic.

As a proof of shadow pandemic in Indonesia, Lembaga Bantuan Hukum APIK Jakarta noted that from March 16^th, 2020 to April 19^th, 2020 they have received 97 complaints regarding cases of violence against women. Of the 97 cases, the largest number reported was Domestic Violence (KDRT) 33 cases. This number is quite large considering that it only occurs within one month and has increased dramatically compared to direct complaints outside the pandemic period.

To shine a light on this problem, SCORP CIMSA FK Unpad held an activity called ‘SPOTLIGHT’ (Shadow Pandemic Comes to Light). We held this activity to raise public knowledge and awareness of the existence of domestic violence which was a violation of human rights, where most of the victims are vulnerable people consist of children, women and elderly.

This activity was done virtually through Zoom Meeting, Instagram official account and CIMSA FK Unpad’s official Line account as the platform of the intervention which was started from August until September 2020. The event begin with online training that was held on August 7^th 2020 for members of SCORP CIMSA FK Unpad about domestic violence by human right trainer and psychologist of Yayasan Pulih. 

Several weeks after the training, we made the main activity that was virtually public discussion with the topic about ‘Unveiling The Curtain of Shadow Pandemic’.  This activity held on August 29^th,  2020 with resource persons from Yayasan Pulih, UPT P2TP2A Bandung, and UNFPA. We also held an air campaign via Instagram by making an Instagram filter that could be checked at @cimsafkunpad Instagram account to spread the awareness about domestic abuse to public.

After we held this activity we expected there would be an increase in participants’ knowledge regarding domestic violence as a form of shadow pandemic, especially in access to complaint services and handling of domestic violence. All interventions of SPOTLIGHT went successful and all of the goals has been achieved. We hope our activity can be one impactful step in order to achieve the biggest dream, to enlighten and to fight the shadow pandemic.