We’ve all lived the COVID-19 nightmare in 2020. We’ve seen it hurt our loved ones, communities and businesses. We’ve seen it kill over one million people around the world.
The deadly impact of COVID-19 extends beyond the physical effects of the virus itself.
In most countries domestic violence has increased during the COVID-19 crisis. It’s a result of increased stress and financial pressure as jobs are lost and businesses struggle, and the fact that couples and families are forced to spend a lot more time together as a result of lock downs and curfews. Sometimes these incidents of domestic violence can be deadly.
International students may be at increased risk of domestic violence during the pandemic.
The Guardian recently reported that three international students in Australia were allegedly murdered in domestic violence incidents over a four month period during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kamaljeet Sidhu – May 2020
In May Kamaljeet Sidhu, a 27-year-old nursing student from India died as a result of a stab wound to the neck at her home in Western Sydney.
Her husband, Baltej Singh Lailna was charged with her murder and the case is ongoing.
It has been reported that Sidhu took out an apprehended violence order against Lailna a month before she died but they continued to live together at the same address.
Liqun Pan – June 2020
On 28 June, Chinese international student Liqun Pan was found dead in her unit in Sydney’s Wolli Creek. Her boyfriend was found severely injured on the pavement below the block of flats.
Police are investigating the possibility of an attempted murder-suicide but have been unable to speak to her boyfriend due to his injuries.
Pan’s parents, said that her death had cast the family into “an abyss of sorrow”. They were unable to travel to Australia for her funeral due to coronavirus restrictions.
Daiane Pelegrini – August 2020
In August, 33 year old Brazilian nursing student, Daiane Pelegrini was allegedly stabbed to death at her home in Western Sydney. David Tran, a man she had been dating, was charged with her murder and the case is ongoing.
Do you need help?
If you or someone you know is affected by family or family violence in Australia, call 1800-RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.
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Source: The Guardian
Photo by Melanie Wasser on Unsplash