Domestic Violence Increases In Pinellas County During Pandemic

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The rate of domestic violence has increased in Pinellas County since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Community Action Stops Abuse.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and if you are in an abusive relationship and wanting to seek help, there is help available in St. Petersburg.

CASA said on its website countries around the world have reported increased incidents of domestic violence during the COVID-19 lockdowns and in Pinellas County an increase of victims reaching out for domestic violence support through its center.

CASA provided these statistics:

• 1 in 3 women have experienced domestic violence
• 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic violence
• Fifty percent of CASA residents are children
• In the U.S., almost 10 million people are physically abused each year

According to "Psychology Today," several key factors that contribute to intimate partner violence are isolation, stress, economic anxiety/joblessness, alcohol and lack of resources. We have seen these factors increase since the coronavirus pandemic began earlier this year.

"Studies from the 2008 recession found that increases in unemployment claims correlated with a greater number of reported cases of intimate partner violence," reported Psychology Today. "Today, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented job loss at levels comparable to the Great Depression."

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Uniform Crime Reports Domestic Violence data collection shows that in 2019, the St. Petersburg Police Department reported 2,185 domestic violence disturbances that ranged from stalking, rape, aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, murder, manslaughter, fondling, simple assault and threats.

The data collected from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office shows 1,341 domestic violence reports.

Not all incidents of domestic violence are reported to law enforcement, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey, because victims might have privacy concerns, fear of reprisal and a desire to protect offenders.

If you are seeking help from domestic violence, here are confidential resources you can reach out to:

• CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse), 727-895-4912 or (800) 500-1119
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233
• Alpha House of Pinellas County, (727) 822-8190