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Domestic abuse rises with virus lockdowns

The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating domestic violence as half the world's population grapples with stay-at-home orders to keep the virus from spreading.

Residents at a domestic violence shelter in El Paso, Texas well before the COVID-19 crisis
Residents at a domestic violence shelter in El Paso, Texas well before the COVID-19 crisis (AN/Bread for the World)

The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating domestic violence around the globe as half the world's population grapples with stay-at-home orders to keep the virus from spreading, U.N. and public health officials said on Monday.

So, too, are reports of online child abuse on the rise. Before the pandemic, which began with infections detected in Wuhan, China late last year, statistics showed one in three women will experience violence in their lives.

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