How To Help Someone Who Experiences Domestic Violence

As if trying to survive a pandemic was not enough, the current health crisis has added yet another problem for many families: domestic violence

And is that as a result of the quarantine, cases of domestic violence have shot up almost 50 percent in countries such as China, Spain, Russia, France and Brazil to name just a few.

Although a decrease in street crime has been reported, abuse within the family has increased in the midst of this situation, and asking for help has become more difficult. According to The Marshall Project, in the United States only 50 percent of victims of domestic violence go to the police for help in a critical situation. And this number may decrease due to quarantine.

How then to help someone who suffers domestic violence in the midst of confinement?

If you find yourself in a critical situation, the first thing to do is call 911.

Another resource at hand is contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the United States through www.thehotline.org or 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). There you can receive direct help in more than 200 languages.

In addition, you can send the word HOME to 741741, or visit the website https://www.crisistextline.org/ to contact a family counselor.

As reported by the American Psychological Association, neighbors and family have become the pillars of help for people abused during this quarantine. That is why a special call is made to pay attention to the details that denote domestic violence, and to maintain contact through phone calls or video to act if necessary.

Likewise, the National Line for Domestic Violence reports that other abuses that may occur in the midst of this pandemic are prohibiting access to disinfectants, preventing the victim from washing their hands -to use the fear of contagion-, and threaten to deny medical attention if the victim becomes ill.

To provide moral support, the same organization recommends:

Have empathy and listen to the victim. It is not easy to recognize that you live in a dangerous situation.

• Do not judge. There are many psychological and financial reasons why someone stays in an abusive relationship. Listen and support.
• Help him make a safety plan. Whether you are still in the relationship, whether you are planning to leave it, or have already left it.
• Urge him to seek professional help.