Study Finds Domestic Violence Rose During 2020 Lockdown

Safety For Whom?

In the eleven weeks preceding the COVID stay-at-home orders, a total of 16,985 crimes occurring in residents' homes were reported to London's Metropolitan Police. During the UK's national lockdown, the figure rose to 23,133.

So finds a recent study in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence titled, "Did the First COVID-19 National Lockdown Lead to an Increase in Domestic Abuse in the U.K.’s Capital City of London?"

Using statistics from the Metropolitan Police, social scientists identified a significant increase in domestic violence during the national lockdown in spring 2020.

The Metropolitan Police uses the following definition of domestic violence:

Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults, aged 16 and over, who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender and sexuality.

The following table, thanks to the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, illustrates the rise in domestic abuse (DA) during lockdown (LD).

Domestic abuse declined markedly in May, when residents were allowed to go to work and exercise without restriction. The lockdown was fully lifted on June 15th, after which domestic abuse continued to decline.

The following table, again courtesy of The Journal of Interpersonal Violence, shows that this happened in all categories of domestic abuse.

Particularly alarming was arson, which was recorded at a rate three times higher during lockdown.

When the researchers narrowed in on different age groups, they discovered the largest rise affecting youth (16–21) and senior citizens (70+).

The effect was present in all ethnic groups. However, individuals of Asian, Arab, and Middle Eastern ethnicities experienced an even higher probability of being victimized during lockdown.

Increased Violence During Mandated Home Confinement Is Well Documented

These findings, note the researchers, corroborate extensive research documenting an increase in domestic abuse during prohibitions against leaving one's home in the spring of 2020. In addition, it's not news that lockdowns increase violence in the home. They cite multiple studies as early as 1984 pointing out this phenomenon.

Statistics Indicate Crimes Not Due to Seasonal Trend

When the researchers examined the corresponding statistics for spring 2019, they found no such trend. This ruled out the possibility of a seasonal pattern explaining the uptick.

Conclusions

The researchers summarize their findings:

A policy aimed at reducing the spread of the pandemic, its associated health risks, and alleviating pressure on the NHS had unintended negative consequences for domestic abuse.

I imagine trying to leave an abusive relationship when suddenly the authorities forbid me from doing so.

How do you escape your abusive partner or family member when your government says you're not allowed to step outside your home?

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What Do You Think?

1. In 2020, did you support authoritarian anti-COVID measures like this? Will you support them the next time there's a contagious virus?

2. If you could have a drink with one of our leaders who enacted the stay-at-home orders, what would you say to them?

References

Gray, C., & Hansen, K. (2024). Did the First COVID-19 National Lockdown Lead to an Increase in Domestic Abuse in the U.K.’s Capital City of London? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605241259009