How You Can Stay Safe During Shelter-in-Place

As we all shelter-in-place to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19, quarantining inside to protect our collective health has actually left some people in greater danger from other threats to their well-being. Mother Jones reports that domestic violence 911 calls are currently on the rise. The publication pinpointed 13 cities and counties in the United States that have seen an increase in calls to 911 and domestic violence hotlines over the past month.

As more people practice social distancing and stay indoors, those in abusive relationships at home find themselves at heightened risk.

The dual presence of increased rates of domestic violence cases and COVID-19 means we effectively are facing two public health crises at once. It is not just an issue unique to the U.S. The New York Times reports this is a global problem.

What accounts for this? Marianne Hester, a Bristol University sociologist who studies abusive relationships, told the Times that domestic violence cases tend to become more prevalent anytime families or partners spend more time physically together.

A serious problem across the board

About 1 in 4 women and almost 1 in 10 men have experienced physical or sexual violence or stalking by an intimate partner. Additionally, 43 million women and 38 million men have experienced psychological aggression by a partner over the course of their lives, according to the CDC.

What should you do if you find yourself living with an abusive partner, relative or friend during the coronavirus outbreak? How can you keep yourself safe from physical and psychological harm while also coping with the multiple stressors that come from living during a pandemic and dealing with domestic abuse?

Meditation and practicing mindfulness are coping tools

First of all, here are ways to physically soothe the psychological and emotional toll taken by quarantining while living in an abusive situation:

• Meditation and practicing mindfulness can be powerful tools to handle anxiety and stress in general.
• Exhale to Inhale offers free online yoga classes to people who are survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault. This can be a way to relieve stress, restore awareness to your body and encouraging empowerment and resilience.
• Shelters for abuse survivors are still open because they are deemed “essential businesses.”
• For virtual support, resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Crisis Text Line are still available.
• If you find yourself in danger, call 911 and also establish a designated friend who you might be able to shelter-in-place with if your situation at home worsens.

Dr. Kristen Fuller also delves into the problem of child abuse and intimate partner violence during COVID-19 for Psychology Today. Her recommendations:

• Shelters for abuse survivors are still open because they are deemed “essential businesses.”
• For virtual support, resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Crisis Text Line are still available.
• If you find yourself in danger, call 911 and also establish a designated friend who you might be able to shelter-in-place with if your situation at home worsens.

Dr. Kristina Wodicka is a Nyack-based holistic chiropractor who incorporates customized healing and integrative wellness techniques into her practice. Join her on Facebook and LinkedIn.