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1 1 (April 10, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govcuyz0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Researh Sevice Domestic Violence in the Context of COVID-19 April 10, 2020 Domestic violence (DV), also referred to as intimate partner violence, affects approximately one-third of women and men over their lifetimes in the United States. Empirical research and anecdotal information from organizations that serve DV victims indicate that disasters and emergencies can heighten the frequency and severity of abuse. This Insight provides background about DV in the context of COVID- 19 and the current federal response to supporting victims, primarily through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), Violence Against Women Act (\ikNVA), and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The CARES Act (the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; P.L. 116-136) provides additional funding under FVPSA and includes a VAWA-related provision. Other coronavirus response packages to date (P.L. 116-123, P.L. 116-127) did not address domestic violence. If Congress wishes to consider further emergency relief or other actions to address the needs of DV victims during the pandemic, it may do so through FVPSA, VAWA, and VOCA programs. Background In the current context of COVID- 19, abusers may exert further power and control over their partners because of economic and other uncertainties surrounding the pandemic. With stay-at-home orders in effect for most states, victims in those states are more socially isolated and have fewer opportunities to connect with others who can potentially assist. They may be less likely to use crisis hotlines with their abusers close by, and may face repercussions if they reach out for help. Further, some DV shelters have reported that they are at capacity or bracing for an influx of victims and their children, while trying to enforce social distancing with limited space. Some law enforcement agencies have reported increased DV- related calls. In Seattle, one of the first U.S. cities hit with the COVID- 19 outbreak, the police department reported a 21 % increase in DV-related reports this March compared to March 2019. Safety protocols during the COVID- 19 pandemic can complicate traditional police responses to a DV call. Changes in court standards for holding an emergency hearing and the halt in many courthouse operations, including a DV court in Chicago, further complicate the criminal justice response to a DV incident during the pandemic. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11323 GRS INSIGHT Prepaed for Menbeis and cornm ittees o4 Cor~qress ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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