Domestic Violence Grows in the Wake of COVID-19 as Crime Trends Down in General
The spread of Coronavirus has greatly shifted crime trends in the United States. In general, since mid-March, when stay-at-home orders became widespread, crime has trended downward in general. This comes as a result of two factors: fewer people are out and fewer arrests are being made. Police departments have tried to curtail spreading the disease through their own contact and most immediately slowed their arrest numbers when it became clear that the virus had grave implications.
There are far fewer targets for crime out on the streets since everyone has been ordered to stay home. Additionally, crime groups have slowed their operations in order to avoid contracting the virus. Internationally, drug trafficking groups have curtailed much of their activity. This can be seen in El Salvador, where killings fell down to a low of 2 per day when the peak in the last few years was around 600 homicides in a single day. Despite this general trend, a few forms of crime have actually risen, with domestic violence the most notable area.
While types of crime such as home invasions are clearly dropping due to everyone being holed up in their respective houses, certain issues have obviously been exacerbated by actions taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Domestic violence was expected to shoot up as a result of stay-at-home orders and have done so accordingly. Keeping families in constant contact with each other under the same roof clearly raises tension. Families with no history of domestic violence may be undergoing new stresses and new issues might be arising, while families that have experienced domestic abuse before are likely to have the same problems reemerge.
Before stay-at-home orders were mandated, experts saw the rise in domestic abuse coming. This was partially due to speculation and partially based on some semi-related instances. In the past, in the wake of some natural disasters, the resulting tensions had caused a spike in domestic disputes. Despite knowing this, experts could not be completely certain of the effect COVID-19 would have because there had not been any recent and well-documented instances of such widespread self-isolation. Their speculation, however, turned out to be spot on, as the data that has begun to accumulate points to an almost universal jump in domestic abuse calls and arrests.
Arrests for domestic abuse began to grow noticeably for the first time during the Coronavirus outbreak in mid-March when stay-at-home orders were issued by state governors in most states across the nation. During that time, the National Domestic Violence Call Hotline reported a large rise in the amount of calls they have received, growing to between 1,800 and 2,000 calls per day since mid-March. Thousands of their callers have reported the incidents resulting directly from tensions caused by COVID-19 restrictions.
Among those potential tensions is the financial stress many are finding themselves under during this time. As the situation progresses, millions and millions of people are becoming unemployed, and even those retaining jobs are still finding themselves far from immune from the economic effects of COVID-19. The economic hardships as a result of Coronavirus are causing much of the tensions that have led to the spike in domestic violence calls, especially when paired with the close proximity that everyone finds themselves in with their respective families. These unprecedented circumstances are likely contributing to many of the new instances of domestic violence in households. As households experience complete isolation and deeper economic struggles they are likely to experience new levels of tension as a consequence.
Due to the novelty of the situation, experts had little precedent for predicting the outcomes of the virus on crime. Despite this, they managed to predict just by assumption that domestic abuse would rise across America.
A further cause of these cases can be seen in the way alcoholism has been affected by the global pandemic. Stay-at-home orders have been accompanied by leniency on alcohol purchases. Because restaurants have been hard-hit, many governors have allowed patrons to purchase alcohol in take-out orders, which had been illegal nationwide before the pandemic. Additionally, liquor stores have remained open as an essential service. As a result of these policies, alcohol is easily attainable and can only be consumed at home.
Since family members have few ways to leave the house, the interpersonal struggles of alcoholism are highlighted by the virus. In many cases for the first time, families will have to see their relatives’ struggles with alcohol directly and constantly. The extent of a loved one’s substance abuse can be seen on full display for the first time, potentially leading to new domestic disputes. One can see how changes to alcoholism are a likely factor in the growth of domestic violence cases across the country due to the spread of COVID-19.
Domestic abuse often happens only when children are out of the house, however in this scenario everyone is under the same roof together. For this reason, these cases are becoming more complex and damaging due to their having a greater effect on entire households. Being stuck indefinitely in the same household has meant kids are often seeing the full extent of their parents’ disagreements and sometimes abuse unfold in front of them.
Many believe that the jump in cases is actually under-reported. This is especially shocking considering cities are seeing unprecedented increases, such as Phoenix, where March 2020 had 200 more domestic violence calls than in March of the previous year. Because people are in such close proximity
If you find yourself involved in one of these situations, law offices across the country remain open as an essential service. Attorneys can answer necessary questions and help you take steps forward. Many law offices remain open and can meet in person, though it is critical that you follow CDC guidelines for social distancing should you choose to do an in-person consultation. Luckily, thanks to technologies like Skype and Zoom, cases can also be worked on remotely from an introductory meeting to a final payment.
Speak with DM Cantor if you or a loved one has been accused of domestic violence in Arizona.
