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A very special Thank You to Turning Point, Especially Andrea Search, for taking time in answering these important questions. Organizations are overwhelmed right now. Realize everyone's time is very valuable.
Questions and Answers
1) Is there an increase in Domestic Violence with new social distancing, new restrictions, isolation and other effects of the virus?
Community Outreach Director, Andrea Search stated that, “Currently we are seeing a decrease in helpline calls since the pandemic started, but that is not indication that domestic and intimate partner abuse has decreased. We understand why this is happening. The “Stay At Home” order is put in place to protect the community from COVID-19. Unfortunately, for survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse, being at home may not be a safe place. They may not be able to pick up the phone and call our 24/7 helpline because their abuser is in close vicinity, in the same room, or in listening distance. They may not be able to run an errand or get out of the house to make a call to us.”
We are expecting and prepared for an increase in phone calls once the pandemic subsides and the “Stay At Home” order is lifted. In one county in China, reports of domestic abuse tripled as compared to February 2019. One non-profit admin says that 90% of their clients are coming to them because of the effects of COVID-19. Link
2) At some point, the “novelty” of not working / having more time wears off. Stress increases, especially in cases of “Stay in Place” and other restrictions. Is there a greater chance of simple disagreements / arguments escalating to possible violence now?
There is most definitely a correlation between increase in stress and domestic abuse. Abusive relationships are already stressful and combine that with the current COVID-19 situation, tensions are high and the severity and frequency of violence will start to increase. We know that domestic and intimate partner abuse is rooted in power and control. This is a very frightening time for survivors who are stuck at home with their abuser while following their directives for social distancing and quarantine. There are so many risks for survivors during this pandemic, such as:
Isolation: Abusers may further isolating survivors from friends and families. Restricting or controlling where they go inside and outside the house as well as virtually.
Restricting Access to Information: Abusers may also restrict access to social media and the news and share only the information they want to share. Some of the information may be false that they share.
Increased Abuse: Since the amount of time the abuser and survivor are spending together, any type of abuse may increase – physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and cyber. Also, a survivor could experience new types of abuse during this time.
Digital Stalking: Abusers may try to force their power and control by monitoring the survivors digitally via social media, emails, computers, and cell phones.
Financial Abuse: Many people are experiencing financial hardships since being unable to work at this time. In addition to the current financial stress, abusers may further financially control survivors during this time.
Parenting/Co-Parenting: Survivors who parent or co-parent their children with their abusers may be encountering challenges during the pandemic. These include obstacles to visitation, increased exposure to the abuser due to lack of childcare. If a survivor is still an essential employee, they may need to rely on their abuser for childcare during this time.
3) How can warning signs of situations / possible increased violence be detected?
“Warning signs of domestic and intimate partner abuse are not as obvious as many people think. It doesn’t start out with bruised eyes and broken bones. The “red flags”, start out small and are subtle. Often we hear that jealousy was a “red flag” that people overlooked in relationships. Domestic and intimate partner abuse is a pattern of coercive behavior used by one person over another to gain POWER and CONTROL in a relationship. Just like domestic and intimate partner abuse, COVID-19 does not discriminate. Domestic and intimate partner abuse affects our community and loved ones regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status.” Andrea Search, Community Outreach Director
www.loveisrespect.org has a lot of good information. You can find good information here - https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/download-materials/
Community Outreach Director, Andrea Search stated that, “Currently we are seeing a decrease in helpline calls since the pandemic started, but that is not indication that domestic and intimate partner abuse has decreased. We understand why this is happening. The “Stay At Home” order is put in place to protect the community from COVID-19. Unfortunately, for survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse, being at home may not be a safe place. They may not be able to pick up the phone and call our 24/7 helpline because their abuser is in close vicinity, in the same room, or in listening distance. They may not be able to run an errand or get out of the house to make a call to us.”
We are expecting and prepared for an increase in phone calls once the pandemic subsides and the “Stay At Home” order is lifted. In one county in China, reports of domestic abuse tripled as compared to February 2019. One non-profit admin says that 90% of their clients are coming to them because of the effects of COVID-19. Link
- Family Minister Elena Bonetti says that domestic and intimate partner abuse hotline calls have decreased up to 30-50% across Italy. Link
- Telefona Rosa, the main domestic and intimate partner abuse hotline in Italy, says their calls have decreased 55.1%. "In any other situation, such a drastic decrease in numbers would’ve been interpreted as an accomplishment, but in this specific scenario, these numbers indicate an alarming situation: victims of domestic abuse usually call if their abuser isn’t in near proximity. Being stuck for 24 hours, seven days a week, with a violent individual not only means higher risk of violent episodes, but it also stops victims from seeking help." Link
- China - Chinese DV organizations have changed their process for answering hotline calls. They are encouraging survivors to only seek medical attention for life-threatening injuries and even then to be aware that there might not be adequate care - the same is said for reaching out to police. They are encouraging survivors to leave their homes if they are being abused and to speak with a police officer but warn that there just may not be the resources to properly help them. Link
- England - "One of their key messages at the moment is to remind people who experience domestic violence and abuse that, while many organisations are shutting up shop, their services are still available." Link
2) At some point, the “novelty” of not working / having more time wears off. Stress increases, especially in cases of “Stay in Place” and other restrictions. Is there a greater chance of simple disagreements / arguments escalating to possible violence now?
There is most definitely a correlation between increase in stress and domestic abuse. Abusive relationships are already stressful and combine that with the current COVID-19 situation, tensions are high and the severity and frequency of violence will start to increase. We know that domestic and intimate partner abuse is rooted in power and control. This is a very frightening time for survivors who are stuck at home with their abuser while following their directives for social distancing and quarantine. There are so many risks for survivors during this pandemic, such as:
Isolation: Abusers may further isolating survivors from friends and families. Restricting or controlling where they go inside and outside the house as well as virtually.
Restricting Access to Information: Abusers may also restrict access to social media and the news and share only the information they want to share. Some of the information may be false that they share.
Increased Abuse: Since the amount of time the abuser and survivor are spending together, any type of abuse may increase – physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and cyber. Also, a survivor could experience new types of abuse during this time.
Digital Stalking: Abusers may try to force their power and control by monitoring the survivors digitally via social media, emails, computers, and cell phones.
Financial Abuse: Many people are experiencing financial hardships since being unable to work at this time. In addition to the current financial stress, abusers may further financially control survivors during this time.
Parenting/Co-Parenting: Survivors who parent or co-parent their children with their abusers may be encountering challenges during the pandemic. These include obstacles to visitation, increased exposure to the abuser due to lack of childcare. If a survivor is still an essential employee, they may need to rely on their abuser for childcare during this time.
3) How can warning signs of situations / possible increased violence be detected?
“Warning signs of domestic and intimate partner abuse are not as obvious as many people think. It doesn’t start out with bruised eyes and broken bones. The “red flags”, start out small and are subtle. Often we hear that jealousy was a “red flag” that people overlooked in relationships. Domestic and intimate partner abuse is a pattern of coercive behavior used by one person over another to gain POWER and CONTROL in a relationship. Just like domestic and intimate partner abuse, COVID-19 does not discriminate. Domestic and intimate partner abuse affects our community and loved ones regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status.” Andrea Search, Community Outreach Director
www.loveisrespect.org has a lot of good information. You can find good information here - https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/download-materials/
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