There are reports that incidents of domestic violence have increased under shelter-in-place. Domestic violence is always very serious. During this pandemic being trapped in an abusive situation adds extra complications. Where do you go? What do you do?
If you are the victim of domestic violence during shelter-in-place, get help. Call 911. If you aren’t comfortable involving law enforcement, try calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit www.thehotline.org/help. If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and you are in the Bay Area, you can call Community United Against Violence at 415-333-HELP (4356).
If you believe you are an abusive partner, you can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also visit their website at www.thehotline.org/help/for-abusive-partners to access help and read about the process of overcoming abusiveness. Get help. Change can be difficult but change is possible.
Whatever you do, if you are in an abusive situation, don’t wait for this pandemic to be over to get help. It could be too late.