Widespread economic strain, a surge in firearm sales, and social distancing could have grave consequences for victims of intimate partner abuse, experts warn.
The woman’s partner had never threatened her with a gun before.
But when she told him she had to go to work during the COVID-19 outbreak, he refused to let her, according to Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, to which the woman placed a call in mid-March. The woman told her partner that she had to go if she wanted to keep her job. Then he took out his gun and began to clean it.
As people across the country are asked to curtail their social interactions, Ray-Jones and other advocates fear that abusers might become more violent and coercive. Financial anxieties, close quarters, and health concerns all bring extra stress into the home, and are associated with a higher risk of abuse. Add skyrocketing gun sales to the mix, and Ray-Jones says she has serious reason to worry about abuse victims’ safety.
“Abusive partners don’t cope well when they feel like they’re losing control,” Ray-Jones said. “And it often causes them to reassert their control over their partners.”
One concern, Ray-Jones said, is that survivors trapped at home with an abuser might be less able to reach out for help. Typically, domestic violence survivors seek help when they’re outside the home, at work or visiting with friends. Cooped up, they may no longer be able to call the hotline without fear of being discovered. Ray-Jones said the hotline saw a slight dip in the number of calls during the week of March 16, but that calls have since gone back to a more normal rate. She’s not sure whether the dip occurred because victims could not get away from their abusers to reach out, or because they were busy dealing with other crises and tasks, like a lost job or the need to stock up on food.
www.thetrace.org
Domestic violence can only happen when partners are together.
Partners are now constantly together so of course there might be an uptick.
Since many people don't have an income anymore, that will become a new point to argue about.
Throw untrained new gun owners into the mix - it is possible that some of these people might kill their partners.
Many new untrained gun owners will be able to protect their families though and lives will be saved.
With all the new gun owners out there, the net effect will no doubt be lives saves.
The media will only focus on their narrative so I expect more articles about domestic violence during this crisis.
The woman’s partner had never threatened her with a gun before.
But when she told him she had to go to work during the COVID-19 outbreak, he refused to let her, according to Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, to which the woman placed a call in mid-March. The woman told her partner that she had to go if she wanted to keep her job. Then he took out his gun and began to clean it.
As people across the country are asked to curtail their social interactions, Ray-Jones and other advocates fear that abusers might become more violent and coercive. Financial anxieties, close quarters, and health concerns all bring extra stress into the home, and are associated with a higher risk of abuse. Add skyrocketing gun sales to the mix, and Ray-Jones says she has serious reason to worry about abuse victims’ safety.
“Abusive partners don’t cope well when they feel like they’re losing control,” Ray-Jones said. “And it often causes them to reassert their control over their partners.”
One concern, Ray-Jones said, is that survivors trapped at home with an abuser might be less able to reach out for help. Typically, domestic violence survivors seek help when they’re outside the home, at work or visiting with friends. Cooped up, they may no longer be able to call the hotline without fear of being discovered. Ray-Jones said the hotline saw a slight dip in the number of calls during the week of March 16, but that calls have since gone back to a more normal rate. She’s not sure whether the dip occurred because victims could not get away from their abusers to reach out, or because they were busy dealing with other crises and tasks, like a lost job or the need to stock up on food.
Surging Gun Sales and Shelter in Place Orders Make a Dangerous Mix for Domestic Violence
The woman’s partner had never threatened her with a gun before. But when she told him she had to go to work during the COVID-19 outbreak, he refused to let her, according to Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, to which the woman placed a call in mid-March. The woman...
www.thetrace.org
Domestic violence can only happen when partners are together.
Partners are now constantly together so of course there might be an uptick.
Since many people don't have an income anymore, that will become a new point to argue about.
Throw untrained new gun owners into the mix - it is possible that some of these people might kill their partners.
Many new untrained gun owners will be able to protect their families though and lives will be saved.
With all the new gun owners out there, the net effect will no doubt be lives saves.
The media will only focus on their narrative so I expect more articles about domestic violence during this crisis.
