How the Coronavirus Quarantine Creates a Spike in Domestic Violence Cases

Schools close and businesses shut down across the U.S. to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As millions of Americans – both adults and children – must work and study from home, experts are concerned about a spike in domestic violence cases across the country.

As of March 22, the coronavirus pandemic killed more than 350 people across the United States. There have been over 25,000 confirmed cases so far. According to Aljazeera, nearly a quarter of people in the U.S. have been ordered to quarantine themselves and stay at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

How Self-Isolation and Quarantine During the Coronavirus Pandemic Contributes to Domestic Violence

Across the nation, movie theaters, restaurants, shopping malls, hair salons, and other businesses and establishments have closed, leaving millions of people with no other choice but to stay home.

Since people have to quarantine and isolate themselves, as well as practice social distancing, during the coronavirus pandemic, victims of domestic violence are more likely to suffer abuse at home simply because they have no other place to go. Also, this situation allows abusers to maintain their control for prolonged periods of time.

As people are ordered to stay home, domestic violence survivors and those who are abused by their intimate partners are exposing themselves to a higher risk for re-assault. Being confined to a small place with an abuser creates a dangerous situation, which could lead to a spike in domestic violence cases across the U.S.

The presence of factors such as financial uncertainty, fear of infection, and boredom further increase the risk of domestic abuse.

Heightened Risk of Domestic Violence During the Coronavirus Quarantine

According to the Daily Voice, health officials are concerned that victims of domestic violence, including children and the elderly, may be at heightened risk during the coronavirus quarantine.

As children are not in school, and adults are asked or ordered to remain at home to avoid getting infected, it may be a particularly vulnerable and stressful time for survivors of domestic violence.

For some, living in terror while isolating or quarantining yourself is worse than the prospect of catching the deadly virus. That is why many victims of domestic violence may run away from home to avoid being left alone with their abuser for prolonged periods of time. Others, meanwhile, endure physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.

For many, having an abuser go to work or going to work themselves was their reprieve from violence. But the stay-at-home and quarantine orders across the country have taken that reprieve away, exposing victims to abuse and violence at home.

If you were exposed to domestic violence during the coronavirus pandemic, call 911 or contact your local police. Also, if the abuser is your spouse, it may be time to think about filing for divorce. Learn about the effects of domestic violence on divorce cases in Florida, as well as ways to obtain a restraining order. Contact our Orlando domestic violence attorney at the Law Offices of Steve W. Marsee to discuss our case. Call at 407-521-7171.

Resources:

dailyvoice.com/new-york/mountpleasant/police-fire/domestic-violence-amid-covid-19-self-quarantine/785275/

edition.cnn.com/2020/03/21/health/us-coronavirus-wrap-saturday/index.html

aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/ordered-stay-home-coronavirus-200322064308183.html

https://www.marseelaw.com/the-effect-of-domestic-violence-on-divorce-in-florida/