Guns and America
What Coronavirus Means For Domestic Violence Cases
As health officials struggle to suppress the spread of COVID-19, many entangled in the U.S. court system, including domestic violence accusers and those with pending court hearings, are left with the difficult question of what comes next.
Several agencies have opted to incorporate teleconferencing and other remote workarounds to better support those in need, but for many victims of domestic violence, time in isolation can compound the dangers of living with an abuser.
“People are urged to stay home and to practice social distancing to protect themselves and others from being exposed to COVID-19. Unfortunately, home is not a safe place for many women,” said Susan B. Sorenson, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Ortner Center on Violence & Abuse.