Work or school may be their only refuge from abusers

Experts who study domestic violence say the increases are underreported because some victims cannot get away from their abusers to call police.^[1] Now that people are being asked to stay in their homes, those experiencing domestic violence could be even more cut off. Of the 22 law enforcement agencies across the United States that responded to NBC News’ request for data on domestic violence calls, 18 departments said they had seen a rise in March. Houston police received about 300 more domestic violence calls in March than they did in February, a roughly 20 percent increase. Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina, police fielded 517 additional calls about domestic violence in March compared to the same month last year, an 18 percent jump, while Phoenix police received nearly 200 more calls, an increase of nearly 6 percent.^[2] For children, they are able to be under the watchful eye of a teacher or other adult authority figures. But now that school has been canceled for the remainder of the school year, many children won’t have the opportunities for their abuse to be recognized.

[P1] COVID-19 isolation orders spikes domestic violence numbers as people are ordered to stay home.