South Snohomish County Crime Watch Hot Sheet: COVID-19 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- Stay at Home Order Can Increase Danger for Domestic Violence

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

COVID-19 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- Stay at Home Order Can Increase Danger for Domestic Violence

With the Stay at Home order, concern has increased by anti-domestic violence advocates that DV survivors are at a higher risk. The requirement to stay at home puts the survivor in the same home as their abuser. As a result, the abuser has more opportunity to exert their power and control.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, abusers can leverage the coronavirus outbreak against their victims in the following ways:

· Abusive partners may withhold necessary items, such as hand sanitizer or disinfectants.

· Abusive partners may share misinformation about the pandemic to control or frighten survivors, or to prevent them from seeking appropriate medical attention if they have symptoms.

· Abusive partners may withhold insurance cards, threaten to cancel insurance, or prevent survivors from seeking medical attention if they need it.

· Programs that serve survivors may be significantly impacted –- shelters may be full or may even stop intakes altogether. Survivors may also fear entering shelter because of being in close quarters with groups of people.

· Survivors who are older or have chronic heart or lung conditions may be at increased risk in public places where they would typically get support, like shelters, counseling centers, or courthouses.

· Travel restrictions may impact a survivor’s escape or safety plan – it may not be safe for them to use public transportation or to fly.

· An abusive partner may feel more justified and escalate their isolation tactics.

Actions survivors can take include:

· Create a safety plan. A safety plan is a practical plan with ways to stay safe while a survivor is in an abusive relationship, or planning to leave the relationship, or after leaving the relationship.

· Practice self-care. Be sure take care of your own health and wellness.

· Reach out for help. Even if isolated, try to safely maintain social connections online or over the phone.

Friends and relatives can help by keeping contact with the survivor.

COVID-19 has created a unique situation for survivors of domestic violence. However, they can successfully get through the situation. And there still is help for them. Here are links for organizations that can help:

Local and State Organizations-

Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County:

https://dvs-snoco.org/

King County-

https://kingcounty.gov/how-do-i/domestic-violence.aspx

LifeWire (for east and north King County):

https://www.lifewire.org/

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: