How Domestic Violence Victims Can Stay Safe During the Pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, staying home, avoiding public spaces, and working remotely are all important steps required to reduce the spread of the virus. But for many people who live with someone who is abusive, this may not be the safest option.

In fact, stay-at-home orders and shelter-in-place options have become life-threatening for many people; women and children in particular. Their physical and mental health is being compromised every day in the very place where they should feel safest—their homes.

An Increase in Violence

In fact, there has been a huge surge in domestic violence cases worldwide. The United Nations reports that nearly every country is showing an increase. For instance, in Malaysia calls have doubled and in France, they are up 32%. The concern is that the number of cases could be much greater due to the number of incidents that go unreported.

Financial Stress

It's not surprising that domestic violence is growing given the fact that stress, fear, and financial strain often lead to domestic abuse.

The researchers added that the Great Recession "led to an increase in men's controlling behavior toward their wives and romantic partners."

Instances of domestic violence are, of course, not always perpetrated by men, however, this tends to be the case in the majority of reported circumstances.

What's more, financial abuse is already common in domestic violence situations. In fact, one study found that almost all survivors they worked with had a partner who controlled their use of or access to economic resources or took advantage of them economically.

Studies also show that abusers are more likely to murder their partners during times of crisis. Consequently, the coronavirus is exacerbating an already volatile situation.

Adverse Effects on Children

Children also are being impacted more than in the past. With schools, community centers, and public playgrounds shut down in many areas, there are no more safe refuges for kids.

Before the coronavirus, these places served as safe spaces where children could escape the violence at home. Now, they're stuck at home and likely witnessing more domestic abuse than in the past.

A Closer Look at the Problem

When victims of domestic abuse are forced to stay in their homes or in close proximity to someone who abuses them, the likelihood that they will experience additional abuse is significant. In fact, people who abuse others will use any tool to their advantage—including a national health concern like COVID-19.

According to advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, COVID-19 can impact intimate partner violence in a number of ways. Here are some things people who abuse others may do to control their partners during the pandemic:

• Withhold necessary items like hand soap, face masks, hand sanitizers, and disinfectants
• Share misinformation about the coronavirus to scare or control their partners
• Feel more justified in increasing their isolation tactics
• Use COVID-19 as a scare tactic so that their partners will not visit family members
• Prevent their partners from getting medical attention even if they have symptoms
• Threaten to infect them with the virus if they have symptoms
• Accuse their partner of trying to give them the virus, especially if their partner is an essential employee or healthcare worker
• Prevent their partner from going to work—even if they are a healthcare worker
• Withhold money, food, insurance cards, and more
• Threaten to cancel health insurance or prevent them from getting medical care or prescriptions for existing conditions
• Abuse alcohol and drugs as a way of coping with stress
• Escalate abuse due to financial strain and emotional stress caused by the pandemic
• Blame and ridicule their partner every time something goes wrong
• Use COVID-19 as an excuse to keep their partners from seeing the kids if they're separated
• Create strict and controlling rules about behavior at home, yet find fault even if rules are followed
• Engage in additional emotional abuse and gaslighting behaviors

Tips for Staying Safe

During this pandemic, it's not uncommon for you to face even more fear and anxiety than you normally would—especially if you're torn between staying physically and emotionally safe and preventing the spread of a highly contagious disease.

While everyone's situation is different, here are a few suggestions for dealing with abusive situations. These tips may help make this uncertain time feel a little more manageable.

Create a Safety Plan

Safety plans are personalized plans that include ideas on how to stay safe while in a relationship with someone who is abusive. These plans often include steps to take when leaving and how to stay safe afterward.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers a guide on safety planning. But, you may need to get creative with your plan during this pandemic.

Understand Options May Be Limited

Before the coronavirus pandemic, women often had the option to go to shelters or to stay with family or friends.

Find out ahead of time which houses you might be able to escape to should you need to find a safe place to stay. Be sure to continue practicing good hygiene, washing your hands regularly, and avoiding touching your face no matter where you stay.

Keep Everything Together

Make sure you have all of your important documents handy and that you know the address to your nearest police station.

Stay in Touch With People

If at all possible, you should try to stay in touch with family and friends. Use text messaging, FaceTime, social media, email, or other online options to communicate when you can. It's important to build a support network of people who can encourage you and support you during this difficult time.

Be careful what you share though in case the person abusing you is monitoring your online activity or abusing you electronically.

Practice Self-Care

Getting through this pandemic while experiencing abuse can seem overwhelming, so taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health is even more important.

Look for ways to care for yourself while staying safe. For instance, meditating, reciting mantras, journaling, and praying all are helpful ways of coping. Additionally, there are many online yoga and fitness classes that you can take for no charge.

Even getting a few moments of fresh air can do wonders for your mental health. Try to do something for yourself each day that eases your anxiety and fear.

Reach Out for Help

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

You also can use their online chat option to chat privately with an advocate. These professionals can guide you in how to handle your situation or simply lend a supportive ear to listen.