The pandemic, COVID19, has caused several concerns about victims of domestic violence being in isolation with their abusers. My concern is the increase of violence and the incidents that do not get reported to police. According to domesticviolencestatistics.org , based on reports from 10 countries, between 55 percent and 95 percent of women who had been physically abused by their partners had never contacted non-governmental organizations, shelters, or police for help. Several years ago I responded to a case with detectives investigating a domestic violence call that resulted in the victim receiving serious physical injuries. Jane was newly married and just moved to Arizona from out of state. Her and her husband had only been in their house a short period of time. Jane did not have any family in Arizona and appeared to be isolated from her family based on her statement at the time of the incident. Isolation is a tactic that abusers use to gain power and control over their victims. When victims are isolated from family and friends, the abuser can keep control of who they talk to and interact with. This is a time where may abusers that isolate victims use manipulation and intimidation. In Jane's case, she had no outside relationships with anyone and her family was estranged. While detectives were interviewing her husband and gathering evidence, I had a chance to speak to Jane and what she described was horrifying and unbelievable.
Jane stated, on a daily basis, she repeatedly was physically abused by her husband. I asked what he did to her and she said he would punch her, pull her hair, bite, and when he hit her and left bruising he would sign her bruises with a sharpie. To note, her description of her injuries matched her physical injuries that day. She had several large bruises all over her body with odd markings on them. This particular incident he kicked her in the head, broke her wrist, locked her in the garage naked the night before, and made her sleep in a dog bed. This morning is when the incident happened when he kicked her so hard in the head that she felt disoriented, scared and when he went into other room she escaped and ran outside naked. The neighbors heard screaming and had already called police not knowing it was their neighbor. The neighbors went outside and saw a naked Jane approach them and took her in house and covered her with a blanket. The neighbors were so scared they told me they didn't know if someone had a gun or if someone was chasing her.
While the investigation continued and she got medical treatment, her husband was arrested on Aggravated Assault charges and other charges that were not related to the domestic violence charge. We tried to check on her for weeks with no success. She either left home or just didn't respond to our efforts to check in. I requested for patrol to drive by their house for at least a week and his parent's home. Her husband received diversion for the domestic violence charge since that was his first offense and minimal jail time for other charges. I think about Jane occasionally and I hope that what I said and offered to her would eventually empower her to leave. All I could do that day is plant seeds and give her support that day. The reason I tell her story is because she could've died that day, he beat her up so bad; Im not sure how she was able to stand he kicked her in head so hard she stated she got very disoriented and the neighbors stated that she was mumbling when they met her in yard. Reporting domestic violence saved this young women's life. The couple that reported had no reservations about doing it and told us that they'll do it again. If they didn't call police she wouldn't have received any help especially medical assistance.
It is very important, during this pandemic and after, that if we hear, see, or know about domestic violence that we report it. Reporting saves lives and can open a victim up to resources and support services. WE have a moral and social responsibility to encourage reporting of Domestic Violence. Jane received medical assistance and victim services that day. I was able to safety plan with her and give her resources and offered her continued support. I let her know that day that she had many people that care about her well being and safety. It is very common in domestic violence cases for victims to not follow through with help or leave the relationship. There are so many factors that keep victims from leaving...fear, financial, low self worth the list goes on. For this reason, if you know someone right now that is in an abusive relationship, offer support and resources and check in with them regularly if possible.
To report domestic violence:
In ER situations and need immediate assistance, witnessing or hearing abuse call 911 or local law enforcement.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: Confidential assistance and resources
1-800-799-7233
thehotline.org
Safety planning information:
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. 30-60 percent of perpetrators of domestic violence also abuse children in the household.
The Victim Assistant-Always advocating
Follow me on twitter @victimadvocate1
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