Number of calls related to domestic violence have not changed in San Diego county during the pandemic
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There have been many cases related to domestic violence in San Diego county since the Covid-19 pandemic began and California issued an order for people to stay at home unless they worked in businesses considered essential. Nonetheless, calls to the authorities related to this issue have remained constant.
One of these stories was published by the San Diego Union-Tribune at the beginning of June. A man allegedly arrived at his girlfriend’s house on April 15, according to the Sheriff’s department, and fatally shot his 15-year-old twin daughters and wounded his adult son. “This happened about two weeks after a man in Chula Vista allegedly murdered his wife during a fight in front of their three children”, the aforementioned website said.
However, these are not the only domestic violence cases that have taken place during the pandemic. Experts believe that the stress of the situation and orders such as social distancing are having these fatal consequences among some people. Added to this is the sensation of a loss of control by the aggressors, triggered by things such as losing their jobs, reduction of working hours, and pressure in raising their children.
Despite the recently registered domestic violence situations, the number of calls has not risen
According to information from 11 police agencies in the area, despite the domestic violence cases that have occurred during this period, the number of calls to the domestic violence and criminal cases services has remained unchanged.
In addition, the San Diego Union-Tribune have carried on their own investigation by gathering weekly data of domestic violence cases and emergency calls since March 1st until the last week of April.
“The data shows that the 11 agencies received about 6,240 emergency calls classified as domestic violence during this period. During the same period last year, about 6,250 calls were received”, the aforementioned news website revealed. In other words, it is only 1% less compared to 2019.
However, even though the numbers have not increased, the severity of the domestic violence cases seems to be major, if compared to pre-pandemic data. District attorney Mara Elliott said that it seems that staying at home increases the risk for the victims. She also worries that people are not reporting minor cases to the authorities.
Domestic violence has not stopped during the coronavirus pandemic
Even though the number of calls related to domestic violence has not increased, it does not mean that there are no cases at all. In fact, all that the numbers show is that there are still many calls related to domestic violence during the pandemic. Data from San Diego Union-Tribune shows also that the San Diego Police Department, which is the largest police agency in the county, is the one that has received the largest number of calls related to this issue in 2020.
“The largest number of calls of all agencies occurred during the first entire week that governor Gavin Newsom gave the order to stay at home, which came into force on March 19. Data shows that the weekly averages decreased or stayed the same every week since the executive order and subsequent economic closure”, the article said.
Elliott also believes that the largest effect the pandemic has had on these cases is the options for escape because when someone leaves a violent relationship, they usually do it while the aggressor is at work and currently almost everyone is at home and people are in fear of getting infected by the virus.
What to do in case of domestic violence in San Diego, California?
These are some of the resources available for victims of domestic violence:
Community Resource Center for the North County: (877) 633-1122; general assistance line: (760) 753-1156.
Center for Community Solutions in San Diego: (888) 385-4657.
San Diego Family Justice Center: (866) 933-HOPE (4673).
Alliance for HOPE: (619) 236-9551 or (888) 511-3522
Domestic violence national line: (1-800) 799-SAFE (7233).
If you need legal assistance for domestic violence or criminal defense in San Diego, California, please contact today Kannan Law. Our offices are open even during the pandemic and we are ready to answer all of your questions.