'Abuse thrives in isolation': Wash. stay-home orders could put domestic violence victims at risk

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The widespread stay-at-home orders are one of the primary tools officials have to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Stay home, stay healthy, experts have repeatedly said.

But for victims of domestic violence, those orders mean they could be forced into isolation with their abuser.

"Home is not a safe place for everyone," said Kelly Starr, managing director for public affairs with the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "And when you're confined to the home, that can be particularly dangerous for abuse that really thrives on silence and isolation."

Reports of domestic violence to Seattle police increased 21% between Feb. 29 and March 31, when compared to the time period last year. Between those dates, police received 1,010 reports, compared with 888 last year. Most of the calls were reports of a disturbance with “some type of DV element associated with it,” Det. Patrick Michaud said in an email.

"It still remains to be seen if this increase is a result of more people being home or not as we only have a very small window of data to pull from," he said. "We understand that home is not safe for everyone. The message to 'stay home' will, of course, be terrifying for victims of domestic violence. Resources will be harder to access, and existing anxiety and fear will be compounded by this new global crisis."

Michaud said SPD is working with partners to make sure victims of domestic violence are able to get the resources they need to stay safe and healthy amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

But even though calls to the police are up, some organizations that work with domestic violence survivors have seen a decrease in calls.

New Beginnings, which provides comprehensive services to domestic violence survivors, saw the number of calls to its help line during weekday business hours drop about 39%. The organization looked at its call volume from March 18 to March 31 and compared it to a two-week period from Jan. 20 to Jan 31.

Susan Segall, executive director of New Beginnings, said it doesn't surprise her that calls to the police would “spike up.” Police reports could be from victims, or from friends, family or neighbors.

“We know this situation is escalating the danger and it’s different in nature to a call to a help line,” she said, about calls to police, “because it’s really requesting immediate and urgent help.”

The decrease in calls to New Beginnings is likely a result of two main factors, she said.

First, many survivors are home with their kids, who are out of school during the day, so it can be hard to find time and space to make a private call. The other reason is that survivors are now forced to be constantly in the presence of their abusers, making it much harder for them to reach out for help. Segall said often, their movements and technology are being monitored.

"We know that the current situation is heightening the danger level for survivors because of that more constant proximity for those who are still living with their abuser and because the overall stress of the situation," she said.

After-hours calls to the New Beginnings help line rose about 13%, Segall said, but it's hard to know whether that's just a normal fluctuation, or if people are able to carve out some more time in the evening, when their kids are in bed.

Either way, she said it's clear the crisis is putting survivors at risk -- both those who are still living with their abusers and even those who aren't.

"We know that this situation creates a perfect storm for survivors," she said.

Mike Buchman, communications director at Solid Ground, said its Broadview Emergency Shelter for people escaping domestic violence and their children also appears to be getting fewer calls. But, he said, they haven't yet analyzed the call volume. They think it could be because people are afraid they'll be exposed to COVID-19 if they go to shelters, and are fearful about being out in general.

And, as Segall said, for people who are confined to homes with their abuser, being able to make a private call becomes more difficult, if not impossible.

The stay-at-home orders essentially trap people at home with their abusers, in ways that could lead to more difficult situations and consequences for victims of domestic violence, Buchman said.

When people are confined to their homes, an abusive person has constant access to their partner, Starr said. They have complete control over who that person is seeing and talking to. At the same time, the partner's options for support are shrinking.

"That combination is really dangerous for people who are experiencing abuse," she said.

In the short term, there is concern over someone's immediate safety.

But in the long term, the economic impacts of COVID-19 could be another challenge. Money and resources are critical for survivors to be able to find safety and stability independent of a partner. For people who may have found separate housing, but who now lost their jobs -- that could have lasting impacts.

"No one should have to choose between becoming homeless and returning to an abusive partner," Starr said.

Even as COVID-19 has shut down many businesses across the county, services remain open and available for victims of domestic violence. There are 24/7 help lines people can call or text. Domestic violence shelters are open and organizations continue to take calls and provide help and services.

"Abuse thrives in isolation," Starr said. “A lot of people experience emotional and verbal abuse, if you’re not having a lot of contact with a lot of other people and that’s the only thing you’re hearing ... that isolation gives it so much more power.”

She encouraged people to check in on their friends and family -- to let people know you are there, even if they aren’t able to talk about what they are going through. It can really be a “lifeline” for someone to know they have someone checking in on them, Starr said.

Friends and family who are concerned about someone in their lives can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline to get help and support.

"Now more than ever, hearing the phrase 'stay safe, stay home,' that can be so powerfully isolating to someone when home isn't safe," Starr said. "One of the things we can all do is just reach out to people in our lives."

Segall said the organization knows it could receive an influx of calls once the stay-at-home order is lifted and life goes back to some sort of normal.

“These weeks or months will have inevitably been very, very hard and in some cases dangerous for survivors," she said. "We want survivors to know there is hope.”

Resources:

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Advocates are also available to chat online.

New Beginnings offers a 24/7 helpline at 206-522-9472.

Solid Ground's confidential domestic violence shelter services can be reached at 206-299-2500.

The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers a number of resources, including a family and friends guide and a collection of resources available.

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