Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse Considerations During 

COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Americans are required to stay home to protect 

themselves and their communities. However, the home may not be safe for many 

families who experience domestic violence, which may include both intimate partners 

and children. COVID-19 has caused major economic devastation, disconnected many

from community resources and support systems, and created widespread uncertainty 

and panic. Such conditions may stimulate violence in families where it didn’t exist 

before and worsen situations in homes where mistreatment and violence has been a 

problem. Violence in the home has an overall cost to society, leading to potentially adverse

physical and mental health outcomes, including a higher risk of chronic disease, substance use, 

depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and risky sexual behaviors.1 Further, victims of 

domestic violence including intimate partner abuse and child abuse are at great risk for injuries 

including death.

Intimate Partner Violence

According to CDC, approximately 1 in 4 women and nearly 1 in 10 men have experienced 

intimate partner violence (IPV) sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate 

partner during their lifetime. Moreover, more than 43 million women and 38 million men 

experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

2 Approximately

41% of female IPV survivors and 14% of male IPV survivors experience some form of physical 

injury related to IPV. It is important to acknowledge that IPV can extend beyond physical injury 

and result in death. Data from U.S. crime reports suggest that 16% (about 1 in 6) of homicide 

 1 Preventing Multiple Forms of Violence: A Strategic Vision for Connecting the Dots. (2016). Atlanta, GA: National 

Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2 Smith, S. G., Zhang, X., Basile, K.C., Merrick, M.T., Wang, J., Kresnow, M., Chen, J. (2018). The National Intimate 

Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2015 Data Brief—Updated Release. Atlanta, GA: National Center for 

Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
victims are killed by an intimate partner.3 IPV has been associated with many negative physical 

and mental health outcomes and health risk behaviors among women of all backgrounds.4

There is a concern that the numbers experiencing intimate partner violence will dramatically

rise in as a result of social distancing and quarantine during COVID-19. Before the pandemic, a 

survivor or victim could flee a violent situation or file a protective order with the police. For 

many, such options aren’t easily available right now. A stay-at-home order can force victims to 

stay in a dangerous situation.5

Child Abuse and Neglect

CDC reports that at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past 

year and in 2018, nearly 1,770 children died of abuse and neglect in the United States. Rates of 

child abuse and neglect are five times higher for children in families with low socio-economic 

status compared to children in families with higher socio-economic status.6 In the US, the total 

lifetime economic burden associated with child abuse and neglect was approximately $428 

billion in 2015.7 Child abuse and neglect can have a tremendous impact on lifelong health and 

wellbeing if left untreated. For example, exposure to violence in childhood increases the risks of 

injury, future violence victimization and perpetration, substance abuse, sexually transmitted 

infections, delayed brain development, lower educational attainment, and limited employment 

opportunities.8

 3 Breiding, M. J., Chen J., & Black, M. C. (2014). Intimate partner violence in the United States — 2010. Atlanta, GA: 

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4 J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2015 Jan 1; 24(1): 62–79. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2014.4879

5 APA (2020) “How COVID-19 may increase domestic violence and child abuse” Retrieved at:

https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/domestic-violence-child-abuse 6 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on 

Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2020). Child Maltreatment 2018. Available from 

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/childmaltreatment. 7 Peterson C, Florence C, Klevens J. The economic burden of child maltreatment in the United States, 2015. Child 

abuse & neglect. 2018 Dec 1;86:178-83. 8 Fortson B, Klevens J, Merrick M, Gilbert L, Alexander S. (2016). Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: A Technical 

Package for Policy, Norm, and Programmatic Activities. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and 

Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Children are specifically vulnerable to abuse during COVID-19. Research shows that increased 

stress levels among parents is often a major predictor of physical abuse and neglect of children. 

Stressed parents may be more likely to respond to their children’s anxious behaviors or 

demands in aggressive or abusive ways. The support systems that many at-risk parents rely on,

such as extended family, child care and schools, religious groups and other community 

organizations, are no longer available in many areas due to the stay-at-home orders. Child

protection agencies are experiencing strained resources with fewer workers available, making 

them unable to conduct home visits in areas with stay-at-home orders. Since children are not 

going to school, teachers and school counselors are unable to witness the signs of abuse and 

report to the proper authorities. Also, many at-risk families may not have access to the 

technology children needed to stay connected with friends and extended family.

9

We must take action to alert victims of abuse that there is help available. We must work with 

law enforcement and other state and local personnel to understand that stay-at-home orders 

need to be relaxed when the home is unsafe. Schools should continue to offer virtual 

counseling or telephone check-ins whenever possible. The hotel and hospitality industry have 

played a large role in many jurisdictions helping to house the homeless or healthcare 

practitioners; businesses and localities must also remember the vulnerable population affected 

by domestic violence who can also benefit from these services. During this time, we must also 

ensure that healthcare practitioners are screening patients for intimate partner violence and 

child abuse.

To help families and communities address intimate partner violence and child abuse health 

concerns, please see the resources below:

SAMHSA Resources:

 9 APA (2020) “How COVID-19 may increase domestic violence and child abuse” Retrieved at: 

https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/domestic-violence-child-abuse
• Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) offers a session on Addiction Recovery and 

Intimate Violence https://healtheknowledge.org/course/view.php?id=18: This is a one hour 

self-paced course and is based on industry awareness about Intimate Partner Violence 

(IPV).

• The National Hispanic and Latino ATTC recorded a webinar this February on the 

“Intersection of Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence and Addiction” 

https://attcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-and-latino-attc/product/intersectiondomestic-violence-or-intimate

• Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence - Quick Guide for Clinicians Based 

on TIP 25 - https://store.samhsa.gov/product/Substance-Abuse-Treatment-andDomestic-Violence/sma15-3583

• The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health, a SAMHSA 

partner, recently released: Supporting Survivors’ Access to Substance Use Disorder and 

Mental Health Services During the COVID-19 Emergency 

http://www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org/2020/03/covid-19-resources-foradvocates/

Other non-SAMHSA Resources:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline

Staying Safe During COVID-19

Phone number: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

• The National Network to Eliminate Domestic Violence 

Resources on the Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Department of Justice, Office of Women’s Health

Local Resources on Domestic Violence

• Prevent Child Abuse America

Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others

• Stronghearts Native Helpline

 1-844-762-8483