The current national response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19), though necessary to slow the spread of the virus, is likely to dramatically increase risk of abuse perpetration in the home. Social distancing, self-quarantine measures, and the closures of schools, libraries, and churches are all likely to make detection and prevention of violence to humans in the home more difficult. This presentation is based on the presenter's several recent publications in academic journals and provides critical insight into these issues by exploring similar increases in family violence reported after prior disasters across the globe. All victim-serving agencies must be aware of the increased risk for all in these homes (especially children and pets as they often represent the most vulnerable household members) and a potential increase in reports of victimization both during and for up to one year after the Coronavirus outbreak. This workshop will only be recorded and available On-Demand from August 10, 2020 until December 31, 2020.
Learning Objectives:
List specific ways our actions to slow the spread of Covid-19 increased the risk for family violence.
Describe why domestic violence reports increased in many communities during lockdown while child abuse reports decreased - and why both are concerning.
Identify innovative ways to improve prevention and detection of family violence during future disasters.
