Domestic violence incidents rose sharply in 2020
When the coronavirus pandemic began spreading across the United States, forcing large-scale lockdowns in most states, another problem emerged. Domestic violence incidents surged, and victims often experienced more severe abuse.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine reported that domestic violence incidents in Portland, Oregon, rose 22% amid 2020 lockdowns. San Antonio, Texas, saw an increase of 18%, and New York City had a 10% increase in domestic violence reports in March 2020 alone. The National Domestic Violence Hotline had a 9% increase in calls and emails between March and May 2020, when most states had strict lockdowns.
Why domestic violence surged
Some of the reasons for domestic violence increasing in 2020, amid pandemic lockdowns, included the following:
- Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders increased social isolation.
- Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders increased the amount of time families were in close contact.
- Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders increased the number of people suffering from mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, and also increased drug and alcohol use.
- The economic downturn that happened as a result of the pandemic caused many people to lose their jobs. Financial problems cause more stress in families, which can lead to violence.
When facing domestic violence charges
If police arrest you for a domestic violence charge, you need to seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced criminal law attorney can review your case and help defend against the charges you are facing.
If you are convicted of domestic violence, that can impact many areas of your life. You could have to serve time in jail if you receive a felony conviction. If you have children, you can lose your custody of them or have limited visitation rights. If you want to move, you may have problems finding a landlord who will rent an apartment to someone with a domestic violence conviction.
With the proper help, you can preserve your freedom and get the best possible outcome when you are facing domestic violence charges. You can stand up for your rights and move forward with your life.