Strategi Pemerintah Singapura dalam Menangani Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan yang Meningkat Selama Periode Circuit Breaker

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many countries to impose restrictions on social activities, this causes people to experience economic difficulties and increases their mental burden. As a result, violence becomes an outlet for feelings of frustration and is carried out against women. A report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), mentions a number of countries experiencing an increase in cases of violence against women. The only country from Southeast Asia mentioned in the report is Singapore. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Singapore Government implemented a Circuit Breaker policy to prevent the spread of the virus. This policy has locked the perpetrators of violence with their victims, so that the right strategy is needed to be able to handle the spike in cases of violence during the Circuit Breaker period. To solve this problem, assistance from the local government will be needed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the strategy of the Singapore Government in dealing with violence against women which increased during the Circuit Breaker period. This paper uses descriptive qualitative research methods, with literature study as a method of data collection. The concept used is the concept of violence against women and the concept of victim service. The results of the study show that there are three strategies used by the Singapore government, namely: 1) improving public services to deal with violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2) optimizing the role of the police and law enforcement officers, and 3) providing support for mental health recovery for victims of violence.