In the first lockdown last year in March, we saw a spate of reports in India and globally too, about domestic violence. Rightly, the spotlight shone on the fact that the victim and the abuser would be trapped in one home during lockdown. The victim had little chance in escaping the domestic abuse or finding some relief or outlet even for a few hours, as all outdoors avenues, including the possibility of travelling to somebody’s home, were shut.

It was a very apt and concerning picture and some women’s organisations in the country, had started special helplines to address this problem specifically. In India this was welcome and an admission of the scale of domestic violence.