Staying Home, Staying Safe? A Short-Term Analysis of COVID-19 on Dallas Domestic Violence

• DOI: 10.1007/s12103-020-09531-7
• Publication Date: 2020-06-14T02:02:34Z
• Authors: Alex R. Piquero; Jordan R. Riddell; Stephen A. Bishopp; Chelsey Narvey; Joan A. Reid; Nicole Leeper Piq...
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the lives of persons around world and social scientists are just beginning to understand its consequences human behavior. One policy that public health officials put in place help stop spread virus were stay-at-home/shelter-in-place lockdown-style orders. While designed protect people from coronavirus, one potential unintended consequence such orders could be an increase domestic violence - including abuse partners, elders or children. Stay-at-home result perpetrators victims being confined close quarters for long periods time. In this study, we use data Dallas, Texas examine extent which a local order was associated with violence. Our results provide some evidence short-term spike 2 weeks after lockdown instituted but decrease thereafter. We note it is difficult determine how much cause as trend increasing prior order.