Domestic Violence-Related Calls Skyrocket Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Sadly, being quarantined means domestic violence victims will likely be around their abusers more. Domestic violence-related calls are already spiking. More inside…

The Coronavirus outbreak has cause domestic violence related calls to skyrocket.

Unfortunately, for some being quarantined is far more critical for others. Police and domestic violence advocates reveal domestic violence calls have started to go increase since everyone has been advised to self-quarantine to fight the spread of the Coronavirus.

Domestic violence victims in Delaware are https://whyy.org/articles/delaware-domestic-violence-advocates-report-in... ">reportedly spending the night at their workplaces to keep their distance from their abusive partners after Delaware Governor John Carney issued a stay-at-home order.

According to WHYY, domestic violence advocates say their clients are practicing these safety measures more than ever due to the coronavirus pandemic. They’re at a greater risk for abuse as they’re forced to spend more time with abusive partners.

“We started seeing an increase in calls, not just in the volume, but the intensity in which clients call with distress levels,” said Elizabeth McCourt, chief health and safety officer for the YWCA of Delaware.

 

The Salt Lake City Police Department has also seen a sharp increase in the number of recent domestic violence-related calls. In fact, the calls have increased by 33% over the past two weeks.

“These are challenging times and people are under a lot of stress. Unfortunately, this stress can spill out into relationships,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown in a news release. “It is never acceptable to perpetrate violence against another. We encourage people to find healthy ways of handling their stress and to think twice before acting in anger.”

Domestic violence advocates in Ohio are also seeing an increase in calls to domestic violence hotlines after the state was ordered to stay at home as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

"We're really concerned about survivors right now," president and CEO of Women Helping Women Kristin Shrimplin said. The Cincinnati-based non-profit works to combat gender-based violence.

Sadly, DV-related calls have increased by a whopping 50% in Omaha, Nebraska. According to reports, Douglas County deputies have responded to 23 domestic violence calls. It's more than doubled from during this time last year when they responded to just 9 domestic violence calls.

“Now, you have much more close contact with people... We kind of knew like on holidays we kind of knew our domestic violence calls would go up,” said Wayne Hudson.

North Texas has the same issue. WFAA reports:

Domestic violence shelters, like The Family Place, say they are seeing a big increase in calls for help.

”This is going to be similar to what happens during the holiday when everyone is together and a lot of frustration,” said Paige Flink, The Family Place CEO. Some shelters have run out of room and are looking to put victims in hotel rooms and other places, because of social distancing rules.

Everyone is stressed right now, but that doesn't give anyone permission to put their hands on you or to abuse their children.

 

Home isn’t always a safe place. COVID-19 has created unique situations for survivors & their #families, as some navigate being in close proximity to their abuser.

Making a gift to The Hotline will help us continue to provide one essential thing –hope. https://t.co/7horUSZnp9

— National Domestic Violence Hotline (@ndvh) March 24, 2020

 

Prayers up to anyone in a toxic situation, and we sincerely hope they receive the help that they need to leave the situation.

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source: theybf