Intimate Partner Violence
NPEIV COVID-19 Series Part III: Prioritizing IPV in the Discussion
Over the past several weeks, a multitude of articles across the United States and the World have been published in highly regarded outlets about the rising rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) as a result of social-distancing and required lockdowns to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These articles have highlighted the increasing rates around the world of intimate partner violence, the increase in severe violence occurring, the difficulties reaching victims to provide them safety, how abusers are using social-distancing at a new threat and mechanism to control, ideas on how to safely reach victims, explanations as to why IPV is increasing and, most recently, the need for specific aid for IPV victims and domestic violence centers in the next bailout bill Congress puts together.
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
Although each article contains important messages, we believe there are a few more points that should become part of the conversation that are important for the general public to understand and become aware of:
We know that prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns an average 20 people a minute in the United States experienced physical abuse by their intimate partner in the United States and that IPV is considered a widespread public health issue.
We know IPV will rise during disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or pandemics like COVID-19. This is supported by research following events such as Hurricane Harvey and current reporting by several law enforcement agencies which indicate IPV calls for service are rising as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns.
We want to raise awareness and shift the conversation to an understanding about why this rise is occurring, the predictability of this increase and that IPV, along with all forms of family violence and abuse, needs to be considered by the government as part of disaster response policies and plans. First, at its core IPV is about power and control and disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic create high stress and uncertainty that lead to increased feelings of anxiety, powerlessness and a loss of control. Second, abuse thrives in isolation and an unintended consequence of the necessary social distancing and mandated shelter in place orders become weapons for the domestic abuser. Third, this isolation removes the victim’s support systems, access to resources through domestic violence centers and decreases their ability to find help.
Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
As the numbers of COVID-19 begin to plateau, and we begin to see a possible end in sight to the immediate crisis, as a society we will begin to evaluate and question. Our government will look to see what families and populations need the most help and how to get the economy going again. We want to raise a voice and make sure intimate partner violence is not left out of these discussions. There are also ways you can safely help if you know of anyone who may be in danger or suffering in isolation and silence. We want to make sure that people know where and how to get help if they or someone they know is being abused or experiencing violence in their home. We want to raise a voice and show our local and federal governments that IPV is still a prevalent issue that requires resources and needs to be prioritized as part of the discussion and planning for future disaster policies and responses.
The National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (NPEIV) is an overarching group of individuals, organizations, agencies, coalitions, and groups that embrace a national, multi-disciplinary and multicultural commitment to violence prevention across the lifespan. NPEIV is committed to reducing interpersonal violence and its consequences through scientific research and the application of empirical findings. It is our mission to make the prevention of interpersonal violence a national and international priority and to encourage healthy relationships by linking science, practice, policy and advocacy. Through our many partnerships and collaborations, it is our vision to end all types of interpersonal violence, for all people, in all communities, at all stages of life.
For more information, please visit www.npeiv.org.