isonHas The Pandemic Exacerbated Domestic Abuse?

The COVID-19 pandemic kept children from school, employees at home, and towns closed as nations struggled to minimize the illness and deaths. Sadly, the isolation and stress caused by the efforts to keep people safe also took their toll on families. Increases in domestic violence incidents rose worldwide and became a serious concern for many people as they felt trapped with their abusers. Those hoping to end the violence continue to look for how and why the increase occurred.

Increase in Substance Abuse

Stress, boredom, and a lack of accountability from the outside world contributed to a rise in drug and alcohol use. People that already struggled from addiction were less able to find help or to find a reason to abstain. Others overused substances to cover the fear or frustration caused by the pandemic. The result in many homes was an increase in domestic violence. Not every case of domestic abuse included substance use, but studies have repeatedly shown a link between the incidents.

Familiarity Heightened Existing Problems

Some families enjoyed the days and weeks spent together and made the most of the forced family time. In households where tension already existed, the closeness only worsened some relationships. Unable to escape each other…