Montco sees rise in domestic abuse

“As disturbing as these numbers are, it’s likely that there are more disturbances and violence happening in homes that go unreported to police.” - Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele

NORRISTOWN » As Montgomery County residents isolate at home during the coronavirus outbreak, an analysis of 911 calls and police reports indicates there’s been an increase in domestic violence incidents, including one in which a Pottstown man is accused of the fatal strangulation of his wife.

The statistics compiled by county detectives 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. Gov. Tom Wolf also began implementing measures to mitigate the spread of the virus on March 15, which eventually led to shutdowns of non-lifesustaining businesses and stay-at-home orders, initially in southeastern Pennsylvania but eventually statewide.

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.

“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 of their lives,” county District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said on

Thursday.

“Add to that fears of getting coronavirus, job losses and layoffs and stress and you have a situation that can lead to tensions in even the best of relationships but especially where there is a family member who acts out physically and emotionally,” Steele added.

On April 8, a Pottstown man allegedly used an electrical cord to strangle and kill his wife as she sat in a recliner in the living room after the couple had an argument inside their borough residence. Michael Darrell Hatfield, 69, of the 300 block of North Hanover Street, is awaiting a preliminary hearing on charges of first- and third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime in connection with the death of his wife, Mary, 71, inside the apartment they shared.

While many families are relishing extra quality time together at home under selfisolation orders, domestic violence victims are living in an increasingly hypervigilant environment, according to officials of The Women’s Center of Montgomery County, a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating domestic violence.

“Home is not a safe place for these women. Their only escape may be a trip to the market, and as long as this pandemic continues, home will become even more dangerous,” said Maria Macaluso, executive director of the women’s center.

Advocates said the “stay at home” mantra delivered by politicians, news outlets and social media can feel like a death sentence for abuse victims.

In determining there has been an increase in domestic violence reports since the pandemic began, county detectives completed a detailed analysis and comparison of thousands of 911 calls and police reports during the Jan. 1 to April 12 periods in both 2019 and 2020.

Specifically, detectives analyzed domestic-related incident calls to the 911 emergency call center from Jan. 1, to March 10, 2020, and compared the numbers to those same domestic calls from March 11 to April 12. Officials also analyzed data for those same dates from police reports filed by 34 of 50 police departments in the county after officers responded to the incidents.

The two sets of data revealed an increase of between 16- and 17-percent in domestic incidents. However, a review of the same data from 2019 showed that as spring arrives, domestic violence calls and incidents typically rise, officials said. When adjusted for that typical spring increase, the analysis of the data found that domestic violence incidents due to the COVID-19 pandemic increased by 8to 9-percent, officials determined.

“As disturbing as these numbers are, it’s likely that there are more disturbances and violence happening in homes that go unreported to police,” Steele said.

“The fact that 911 calls and police incident reports related to domestic violence are up is important to note because it means victims need help— and that some people are calling when they are able. And even more important is the fact that help is still available,” Steele said.

Laurel House, a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, a safe haven, supportive programs and resources for victims of domestic abuse, provides a confidential, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-642-3150.

The Women’s Center of Montgomery County, a volunteer organization that provides support to victims of domestic abuse, also provides a 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-773-2424.

The help lines are answered by trained volunteers who offer advice on services available, provide safety planning and obtain immediate safe shelter for victims and children. Both agencies provide assistance with writing and obtaining protection from abuse petitions through the courts, offer safety advice to victims, and assistance in obtaining safe housing.

More information can be found at laurel-house. org and www.wcmontco.org

“We want domestic violence victims to know that they are not alone – the Women’s Center of Montgomery County is still here to help,” Macaluso said.

Macaluso said the women’s center is still operating as an essential service, but has had to adjust the way it provides services to clients during the pandemic. Although many of the local women’s center offices throughout the county are either operating with minimal staff or are closed, they are still providing legal advocacy and counseling to domestic violence victims remotely, either by phone or varying technology platforms.

Under a previous emergency order issued by President Judge Thomas M. DelRicci, the courts are still handling protection from abuse hearings while the courthouse remains closed to the general public during the pandemic.

“The court is open and operating for emergency matters. We’re getting a lot of PFA and emergency custody matters,” DelRicci said recently. “We’re handling those using appropriate social distancing and health safety precautions.”

Typically, individuals seeking PFA orders are taken to a waiting area at the courthouse where they complete the appropriate forms, which are then electronically transmitted to a courtroom where a judge is sitting. The applicant is then taken to a videoconferencing room which is linked to the courtroom and the hearing is held remotely, limiting the contact between participants.

“As much as we can do electronically by video transmission we do,” DelRicci said.

According to the district attorney’s office, the courts have issued more than 50 PFA orders since the COVID19 crisis began.

“I cannot stress enough that law enforcement and our partner agencies are here for victims of domestic violence. We are still making arrests and prosecuting these cases during this crisis,” Steele said. “Our law enforcement community is here to help and so are some very caring people at Laurel House and the Women’s Center. No one has to endure the pain and suffering of domestic violence.”

“Home is not a safe place for these women. Their only escape may be a trip to the market, and as long as this pandemic continues, home will become even more dangerous.”

- Maria Macaluso, executive director, The Women’s Center of Montgomery County