Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHouston-area domestic violence calls are increasing, cases more violent during coronavirus pandemic
Click2Houston
March 30, 2020, 6:10 pm
Full Headline: Houston-area domestic violence calls are increasing, cases more violent during coronavirus pandemic, officials say
HOUSTON Some jurisdictions in the Houston area are reporting a spike in the number of domestic violence cases as more people spend extended periods of time at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Law enforcement officials and advocates are concerned that the number of domestic violence incidents will continue to rise because victims are in a uniquely vulnerable position due to stay-at-home orders and isolation.
We are deeply concerned the calls for social isolation will compound the violence that people experience in their homes, said Emilee Whitehurst, CEO of the Houston Area Womens Center.
Whitehurst said just this weekend alone, their crisis hotline received 150 calls for help. Whitehurst said that while the number of calls was not out of the ordinary, the nature of many of those calls was concerning.
Over the weekend... we had 150 calls and half of those were shelter requests, Whitehurst said. She said the requests for shelter were higher than normal.
The HAWC shelter is currently housing 100 women and children, Whitehurst said. Typically, the shelter has a capacity of 120, but that number has been reduced to ensure social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For those in imminent danger, Whitehurst said HAWC has the Safe Harbor program that helps women find hotels if they are facing immediate danger.
Montgomery County prosecutors say theyve seen a 35% increase in domestic violence cases filed this month, as opposed to the same time period last year. Prosecutor Echo Hutson said the office is seeing cases where there has been a history of violence, but also an increase in what she calls pressure cooker cases where there isnt a history of violence.
People that may not have seen violence... where you put it all together in one house with unemployment, stress, people are scared to go outside, theyre not allowed to go outside as much, Hutson explained.
Hutson said victims are particularly vulnerable at this time because they are locked in with their attackers.
Law enforcement officials and advocates are concerned that the number of domestic violence incidents will continue to rise because victims are in a uniquely vulnerable position due to stay-at-home orders and isolation.
We are deeply concerned the calls for social isolation will compound the violence that people experience in their homes, said Emilee Whitehurst, CEO of the Houston Area Womens Center.
Whitehurst said just this weekend alone, their crisis hotline received 150 calls for help. Whitehurst said that while the number of calls was not out of the ordinary, the nature of many of those calls was concerning.
Over the weekend... we had 150 calls and half of those were shelter requests, Whitehurst said. She said the requests for shelter were higher than normal.
The HAWC shelter is currently housing 100 women and children, Whitehurst said. Typically, the shelter has a capacity of 120, but that number has been reduced to ensure social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For those in imminent danger, Whitehurst said HAWC has the Safe Harbor program that helps women find hotels if they are facing immediate danger.
Montgomery County prosecutors say theyve seen a 35% increase in domestic violence cases filed this month, as opposed to the same time period last year. Prosecutor Echo Hutson said the office is seeing cases where there has been a history of violence, but also an increase in what she calls pressure cooker cases where there isnt a history of violence.
People that may not have seen violence... where you put it all together in one house with unemployment, stress, people are scared to go outside, theyre not allowed to go outside as much, Hutson explained.
Hutson said victims are particularly vulnerable at this time because they are locked in with their attackers.
Read more: https://www.click2houston.com/news/investigates/2020/03/30/houston-area-domestic-violence-calls-are-increasing-cases-more-violent-during-coronavirus-pandemic-officials-say/
Sadly, this will not surprise many people.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
2 replies, 520 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (4)
ReplyReply to this post
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Houston-area domestic violence calls are increasing, cases more violent during coronavirus pandemic (Original Post)
Mike 03
Mar 2020
OP
BigmanPigman
(51,584 posts)1. I have read many article in the past week about this.
I was thinking divorce will increase and then I read about domestic violence, especially in particular cultures and societies. Women will suffer at the hands of men, not germs.
pat_k
(9,313 posts)2. This is so depressing. (nt)