What If You Don't Feel Safer at Home?
As the coronavirus continues to spread, many individuals in our nation are under “stay at home” orders. Libraries, schools and community centers are closed. Workouts and therapy sessions have transitioned to video-based platforms, and more and more Americans are working from home.
We are seeing celebrities post images of themselves holding signs about the importance of staying home, and images promoting the idea “safer at home” are trending on social media. These messages are meant to evoke a sense of purpose, a sense of unity and patriotism, and a sense of hope.
For some, these images and messages may evoke very different feelings including anger, fear, and isolation from their community.
What if you don’t feel safer at home?
Sources in China report that rates of domestic violence tripled in February 2020 compared to the same month in the previous year. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, approximately half of men and women in America have experienced emotional and psychological abuse perpetrated by an intimate partner. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced physical violence or sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner.
For these individuals quarantine poses an increased risk to personal safety and wellness.
a “stay at home” order can increase risk
For individuals experiencing interpersonal violence (IPV), stay at home orders increase risk of violence due to a variety of factors including:
Increased contact and proximity with abusive partners.
Increased stress associated with financial and health concerns may lead to more frequent escalation.
Potential to withhold important safety items (soap, hand sanitizer, face masks, household cleaners) as a way to control.
Abusive partner may use the virus as a reason to forbid leaving the home or interacting with members of the community.
Programs designated for survivors may be more difficult to access and accessing tele-health support options may not be safe when a victim is sharing a space with their abusive partner.
Victims of IPV have fewer safe places to go if they need to leave their homes.
create a safety plan during COVID-19 quarantine
A change in environment and day-to-day life requires adjustments in safety planning. Some resources and plans that may be helpful include:
Maintain a structure and routine that keeps everyone in the home occupied.
Be aware of common triggers for violence or times of day when violence may be more likely.
Consider the safety of different rooms. Be aware of which rooms in your home lock, and what rooms have doors or windows for quick exit. Avoid rooms that have no exit or house items that could be used as weapons.
Create and hide a “go bag” with items you may need during an emergency (identification, medical cards and medication, a charged phone and charger, money, car keys, and list of emergency contacts).
Identify safe people in your support system. Establish daily check-ins and code words in case you need assistance.
If you have children establish a code word and plan for them if they need to get to safety.
Change passwords and disable location services to make electronic devices safer. Delete internet search history, call records, and text messages if your devices are monitored.
Connect with resources
Resources are still available for support. You are not alone.
Call 911 if you believe you are in imminent danger. In many areas you can also text 911 with your location and emergency, if making a phone call is not safe.
Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support and resources. Call 1-800-799-7233, text LOVEIS to 22522 or connect via webchat at www.thehotline.org
Utilize free interactive safety plans
