Domestic violence awareness is critical

During this global pandemic, it is critical to look at the issues regarding domestic violence.

As October begins this week, the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes with a call to action particularly pressing during the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

In Montgomery County, 10 people have died in six incidents of domestic violence since the start of the pandemic last spring. The most recent was a September tragedy in New Hanover Township that resulted in the deaths of two parents and a grandfather. The double murder-suicide was the sixth fatal domestic-related incident in the county since April 8.

A total of 10 people died during the six incidents, their deaths being ruled either homicides or suicides. In addition to New Hanover, the incidents occurred in Abington, Pottstown and Cheltenham.

“We are seeing more domestic violence homicides in Montgomery County this year than ever before,” said county District Attorney Kevin Steele. “Living in this unprecedented pandemic is a stressful time, with adults and children staying at home together, confined to close quarters while at the same time being upended from routines, friends, jobs and other constants in their lives.

“These are not random acts of violence or murders that are being fueled by drug trafficking or some other crime. These are murders that are relationship violence or domestic violence in nature. The fact that all of our homicides since this pandemic has begun have been domestic violence or relationship violence is a disturbing trend,” Steele said during a recent news briefing.

The isolation and stayhome practices to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus create conditions that not only may foster violence within homes but make it more difficult for victims to get help.

The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and the NoMore.org project recognize October as an opportunity to remind neighbors, family members and victims to recognize the need for intervention.

The message: Educating yourself and others, helping a friend who is being abused, speaking up, and being an engaged bystander are all examples of things people can do to help.

Talking about these issues openly will help end the shame and stigma that domestic violence and sexual assault survivors are burdened with.

The NoMore.org project suggests that the next time you’re in a roomwith 6 people, think about this:

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience violence from their partners in their lifetimes.

• 1 in 3 teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year.

• 1 in 5 women are survivors of rape.

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual violence in their lives.

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of 18.

The Montgomery County district attorney’s office conducted an analysis of 911 calls and police reports earlier this year which showed an 8- to 9-percent increase in domestic violence reports between March 11 when the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 outbreak was a pandemic and April 12.

During that period, county police departments reported 1,322 incidents of domestic violence for a median average of 40 per day, according to the statistics.

“What they found was that calls for help to police were up about 9-percent and we suspect that that trend has continued and may be even higher since those agencies in Montgomery County that help domestic violence victims are reporting increased contacts for assistance, especially through police referrals,” Steele said in August.

Resources are available to help, and while it is clear many are using those resources, the toll shows that more needs to be done.

If you are in fear or suspect abuse in a relationship or household, contact:

• Women’s Center of Montgomery County, 24-hour domestic violence hotline: 800773-2424.

• Laurel House 24-hour hotline: 800-642-3150.

• “SafeBerks”: English Hotline: (610) 372-9540;Spanish Hotline: (610) 372-7463

• Berks County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit: (610) 478-7171

• Domestic Violence Center of Chester County 24-hour free hotline: 888-711-6270 or 610431-1430

• Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County hotline: 610565-4590

Domestic violence has been an epidemic behind closed doors of our communities long before the coronavirus. This year, more than ever, the importance of awareness, understanding of victims’ needs, and embracing the responsibility to help are critical. Ten lives lost in just one county is a crisis. Let this become the alarm to be aware of domestic violence and call for help.