In Italy, support groups fear lockdown is silencing domestic abuse victims

A general view of an almost empty street in Milan, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Italy April 4, 2020. REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy has seen a sharp fall in official reports of domestic violence as it approaches a month under coronavirus lockdown, raising concern among some support groups that forced confinement is leaving victims struggling to seek help.

Citing official data, a parliamentary committee into violence against women said last week that reports to police of domestic abuse dropped to 652 in the first 22 days of March, when Italy went into lockdown, from 1,157 in the same period of 2019.