Washington, D.C. — As the United States grapples with the health and financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, cases of domestic violence (DV) have surged—with many more likely going unreported. Unfortunately, policymakers lack disaggregated data revealing which communities are experiencing the greatest surges during the pandemic, however it is likely that Native women, undocumented women, and other women of color, as well as LGBTQ and disabled women, continue to experience incidents of DV at disproportionate rates.
While DV survivors lacked necessary supports prior to COVID-19, the pandemic is revealing the extent to which the infrastructure in place to support them is wholly inadequate. A new report from the Women’s Initiative at the Center for American Progress outlines several ways policymakers can improve the system to mitigate incidents of DV and support survivors, including:
- Ensure DV programs and shelters receive sufficient funding and are deemed essential businesses during the pandemic and any future crises.
- Improve access to comprehensive paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave; child care; and unemployment insurance if a survivor needs to leave a job for an extended period or loses a job.
- Prioritize improvements to existing laws, including the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and legislative fixes to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).
Please click here to read: “Ensuring Domestic Violence Survivors’ Safety: The Need for Enhanced Structural Supports During and After the Coronavirus Pandemic” by Robin Bleiweis and Osub Ahmed
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Colin Seeberger at [email protected].
To find the latest CAP resources on the coronavirus, visit our coronavirus resource page.