Domestic violence, a prevalent problem in India, saw an increase during the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19. This article explores the factors associated with an increase in domestic violence incidents during COVID-19 by applying routine activity theory (RAT) framework. Data were drawn from the incidents of domestic violence reported in newspapers. Data was analyzed using content analysis and three major themes, i.e., three principle components of RAT—motivated offender, suitable target, and absence of capable guardian—were drawn. Findings reveal that sources of motivation in domestic violence perpetrators during the lockdown were alcohol and unemployment. The symbolic value that perpetrators associated with women, lower inertia, visibility, and accessibility to the perpetrators made women suitable targets of domestic violence. Lastly, shortage of police force and travel restrictions on formal and informal sources resulted in the absence of capable guardians. We conclude that changes in the routine activities of people during the COVID-19 lockdown provided more opportunities to the perpetrators of domestic violence.

家庭暴力是印度的一个普遍问题，在为遏制 COVID-19 传播而实施的封锁期间有所增加。本文通过应用常规活动理论 (RAT) 框架，探讨了与 COVID-19 期间家庭暴力事件增加相关的因素。数据来自报纸报道的家庭暴力事件。采用内容分析法对数据进行分析，并得出三大主题，即RAT的三个主要组成部分——动机犯罪者、合适的目标和缺乏有能力的监护人。调查结果显示，在封锁期间，家庭暴力肇事者的动机来源是酒精和失业。施暴者与女性相关的象征价值、较低的惯性、知名度和施暴者的可及性使女性成为家庭暴力的目标。最后，警力短缺和对正式和非正式来源的旅行限制导致缺乏有能力的监护人。我们得出的结论是，在 COVID-19 封锁期间人们日常活动的变化为家庭暴力的肇事者提供了更多机会。