Doctors Say COVID-19 Pandemic Sparks Rise In Domestic Violence Incidents

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and COVID-19 has sparked an increase in domestic violence, according to Dr. Britta Ostermeyer with OU Health.

Friday, October 23rd 2020, 4:18 pm



October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and COVID-19 has sparked an increase in domestic violence, according to Dr. Britta Ostermeyer with OU Health.

"We are seeing unfortunately, abuse, such a domestic violence and child abuse actually going up,” Ostermeyer said.

COVID-19 has forced many to stay home and caused economic hard times and a lot of stress.

"There are over three million American children abused children in American households,” Ostermeyer said.

Osyermeyer said it's a cycle that continues generation to generation.

"This is a dynamic in which the abuser lured in the victim and like in a cocoon, and they have now a set up an abused victim," she said.

The demographic is consistent.

"Less means, less resources, less income is more often associated with domestic violence," she said.

However, the abuse can look very different, both physical and psychologically.

Ostermeyer said the victim may threaten to leave, but it comes with a cost.

Osyermeyer points out that the abuse can seem hot and cold.

“The abuser comes crawling to the abused person, promising, it will never happen again, I’m so bad and that's when the abused person believes there’s hope, things are getting better, until it starts again, tension building up," she said.

Ostermeyers said the abuse will never stop and it's best to leave as quickly and quietly as possible.

"The consequences of staying is detrimental to the abused person," she said.

Ostermeyer recommends if you need help, call the domestic abuse crisis line at 800-799-SAFE (7233).

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

October 23rd, 2020

March 27th, 2024

March 27th, 2024

March 27th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 27th, 2024

March 27th, 2024

March 27th, 2024