Domestic Violence Makes "Stay At Home" Complicated

Crime scene police tape
Via Flickr
William Anderson
April 22, 2020

Crime is definitely dropping during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, but that doesn’t mean everything is all good. There’s a group of people that are especially vulnerable to the new circumstances that many of us have to adapt to. Staying at home is a major risk for them.

Being in the house is a privilege for those who are able to work from home and have enough resources to not need to leave frequently. 

It’s also a privilege for those who are not facing the threat of domestic violence. Stay at home orders could be a particularly big risk for Black women.

Black women experience domestic violence at higher rates than counterparts of different races. Black women are also more likely to be killed by intimate partner violence.

This is something we cannot ignore, as rates increase around the country. Fortunately, there are resources that can help.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline made special recommendations for those who may be at risk in quarantine. This includes things like practicing self care, creating a safety plan, and reaching out for help if things become dangerous. 

But this information requires something from us, even if we’re not the ones experiencing it!

Check on those you know that are experiencing or may be at risk of experiencing domestic violence. Anyone in need can call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 for TTY.

If you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522. It’s okay to seek help!

We have a quick favor to ask:

PushBlack is a nonprofit dedicated to raising up Black voices. We are a small team but we have an outsized impact:

  • We reach tens of millions of people with our BLACK NEWS & HISTORY STORIES every year.
  • We fight for CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM to protect our community.
  • We run VOTING CAMPAIGNS that reach over 10 million African-Americans across the country.

And as a nonprofit, we rely on small donations from subscribers like you.

With as little as $5 a month, you can help PushBlack raise up Black voices. It only takes a minute, so will you please ?

Share This Article: