CoronaCrime #2

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has taken a terrible toll in lives, illness, and economic devastation and it is having diverse effects on violence and crime. Therefore, the Daily Prevention News publishes weekly a Corona Crime Issue dedicated to collect related relevant news and information.

1. Europe: European mortality monitoring activity
   Graphs showing the pooled weekly total number of deaths and excess deaths (deviation in mortality from the expected level) in the data-providing EuroMomo partner countries from 2016 onwards, all ages and by age groups. EuroMomo compares death rates over a period of time and between age groups. This so-called Z-scores allows comparison of observations from different normal distributions.
   These graphs were generated in week 2020-18 with data from all 24 participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany (Berlin), Germany (Hesse), Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK (England), UK (Northern Ireland), UK (Scotland), UK (Wales). Source: EuroMOMO
2. COVID-19 shines a red light on sex workers’ lack of protection in Europe
   European governments look the other way when we ask them how they will help sex workers survive the coming weeks and months. This has to change. Source: International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe
3. Why Coronavirus gives organized crime momentum to shine and flourish
   In late March 2020, amidst the global crisis caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, organized crime groups began to make headlines as caring social actors in their communities. In such times of crisis, the state’s failure to provide adequate citizen security feeds a popular narrative used by violent non-state actors to mobilize support. That gangs may seize the role of benevolent social actors that take care of their communities might come as a surprise to many, thus making headlines across the world. Yet, this is not a new phenomenon. Source: Urban Violence Research Network
4. Restorative Justice, COVID-19 and ‘Virtual Circles’
   At a time when many people are forced into isolation, restorative circles provide an intimate, facilitated space for participants to connect with one another. The Center for Court Innovation has reimagined the concept as online “virtual circles” to address the needs of vulnerable populations and the people who work with them. Source: The Crime Report
5. COVID-19 population management strategy for prisons
   This paper assesses the impact of various population management strategies implemented in prisons in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: GOV.UK
6. Crime, Corruption, and Coronavirus
   Countries around the world are struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. But in times of crisis, there are those who seek their own advantage. Organized criminal groups and corrupt government officials often find new opportunities to consolidate illicit wealth and power. At the same time, existing corruption and criminality make it that much harder for governments to respond to the growing threat.
   OCCRP is watching them. This page will bring together our coverage of those who try to benefit from border closures, commodity shortages, delayed court proceedings, and other disruptions caused by this global pandemic. Source: OCCPR
7. Cybercrime Evolution 
   Neil Walsh, Chief of the Cybercrime and Anti-Money-Laundering Section at the UNODC, gives an overview of how cybercrime has evolved since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic and shares some tips on how to stay safe online. Source: UNODC
8. COVID-19: Online risks, reporting and response
   Since early March, reports to eSafety about online harms have surged. In certain areas, such as image-based abuse — the sharing of intimate images and videos without consent — they have almost doubled. Source: Australian eSafety Commissioner

Please find more information and news about the interlinkages between the Coronavirus, Crime and Violence in German published every Tuesday on our German News Service Tägliche Präventions News.