Disease pandemics can create a type of stress similar to that of other natural disasters. They can foster a fear of the unknown and can be prolonged, and our brains struggle to deal with it. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, billions of people worldwide were locked into their homes, often mandated by local and federal governments to remain “safe at home” in an effort to slow the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, this exacerbated another existing global pandemic: domestic violence.
Many people hear the term ‘domestic violence’ and automatically imagine a physically abusive relationship. But the truth of the matter is that domestic violence involves other facets which may be present, and which are heightened by the threat or use of physical violence. While someone may not be experiencing physical abuse, she/he could still be subject to verbal, emotional, or financial abuse, stalking, and other forms of violence, harassment, and threats. This creates a complex and challenging situation for the survivor.