Domestic Violence, The Danger Behind Quarantine

photo courtesy of pexels / karolina grabowska

While getting sent home from college at the start of COVID-19 was disappointing for most, it was terrifying for others. Throughout the pandemic, stay-at-home orders haven’t been safer for the thousands of individuals trapped in abusive households. 

Experts at domestic violence prevention centers feared that stay-at-home orders would result in a spike in domestic abuse. In fact, recent reports show that this fear has become a reality. Victims of domestic violence have been isolated in unsafe situations for months now and have reported various types of abuse including physical violence, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and technology abuse. With victims trapped at home due to quarantine, abusers can harass and control almost all aspects of their lives. Abuse could be forcing victims to stay home, monitoring a victim’s computer, or as serious as physical harm. This increase in domestic violence across the U.S. since the start of COVID-19 has survivors struggling to embrace the new normal after emerging from dangerous home situations. 

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, domestic violence is defined as behaviors used by an abuser to maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can impact anyone of any race, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, and it can happen to individuals who are married, living together, or who are dating. On average, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience some sort of physical violence in an intimate relationship. Research shows that domestic violence tends to rise when families spend more time together, and it historically has increased during pandemics and times of economic crisis. 

The coronavirus created the perfect storm for an increase in domestic violence. Reports say that social isolation is a common tactic used by abusers to assert control and dominance over their victim, forcing the victim to rely on them. Stay-at-home orders gave abusers an upper hand, fueling the cycle of abuse. Coronavirus has also generated an extreme amount of stress, commonly due to unemployment or financial troubles, which can be a trigger for an abuser. When experiencing economic anxiety, some people try to gain control of their life by controlling and abusing their partner. Others lose themselves in alcohol, which also can lead to aggressive and abusive behavior.

Emerging from quarantine, survivors of domestic violence have a very high risk of facing problems with their mental health. Millions of individuals around the world have experienced increased feelings of loneliness and anxiety during their time in quarantine. After being isolated and abused, survivors are three times more likely to experience depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other severe conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. While survivors are likely to experience mental health conditions after abuse, research shows that people who have pre-existing mental health issues are more likely to be targets of domestic abusers. 

Domestic violence and abuse is a public health crisis that has been heightened in the face of COVID-19. For survivors who have been trapped with abusers during quarantine and experiencing mental health issues, this has been an extremely difficult time. If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence during quarantine or at all, seeking help and support is an important step. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has provided advice regarding how to talk to your practitioner about abuse and is available for help 24/7 on their website and hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).