Domestic Violence
Domestic violence was already on the rise pre COVID-19, but the health crisis has caused a tremendous spike in incidents of abuse. According to Veronica Stephens, the Lead community education specialist at Laura’s House in South Orange County, with the shelter in place orders, they have received 65% more hotline calls than this time last year. Partners who are on the receiving end of harm in their relationship are actually stuck in the house with their abuser seven days a week.