Working from home, avoiding public outings and limiting contact at school and work are all important to reduce the spread of COVID-19. But these actions may not be the safest for domestic violence victims. Since the pandemic hit, there has been a global increase in the reported numbers of domestic violence incidents and that number is likely just a fraction of the actual occurrence.
Work and school provide many victims, both adults and children, a safe space from their abuser. These places allow someone outside of the situation to recognize that something is amiss and help. Going to school or work is an outlet for the victim to escape their abuser.
Abuse is all about power and control. An abuser may take the increased isolation and time at home to exert a heighten amount of power and control.
This type of power and control can also be seen between co-parents in which one parent attempts to restrict parenting time. Specifically, we have seen a parent use the virus as a scare tactic to keep the other parent from their children. Often there are threats that lead to a refusal of parenting time that can escalate to court action. Many parents are lost in these unprecedented times, but we are here to help.
Here are a few suggestions if you find yourself in any of the above situations:
Create a safety plan. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org) is a great resource that goes into detail about the different considerations to make when creating a safety plan. Nebraskacoalition.org also provides a list of local resources across the state. Keep your safety plan in a secure location either physically or virtually.
Contact someone. Your physician, therapist, counselor, attorney, family or friends can all assist in helping you find a safe space and get you to a safer situation. Even having a social connection to the outside world can help a domestic violence victim feel as though there is hope.
Practice Self-Care. If you know of someone in a violent situation or suspect that they may be, you should reach out to them even if it is by phone or email. This contact may just be someone’s lifeline. If you are a victim of domestic violence, try to find yourself an outlet such as counseling, meditation, scheduled check ins with family and friends.
Advocate. You can fill out a domestic abuse protection order with the District Court in your county. These pleadings are accessible to the general public on the Nebraska Supreme Court’s website: https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/DC-19-27.pdf. McGill Law is well versed in assisting our client’s in their pursuit of a protection order. It is an area of the law that we are very passionate about.
Whether you, a child, or loved one is facing this currently facing or at risk for domestic violence, please know that you are not alone, there is help!