SALT LAKE CITY — Officials say they typically see a surge in domestic violence cases after Thanksgiving through Christmas. This year, their numbers began increasing in October and through the first two weeks in November.
There have already been two homicides related to domestic violence in the past month.
Investigators think that pandemic related quarantining is a contributing factor in the increase.
“Our safe place should be our homes and when your safe place is not your home, that just creates even more difficulty... especially right now when we’re being told to stay home," Sgt. Melody Cutler with the Unified Police Department explained.
Victim advocates want those in need to know that just because the world may seem like it's shutting down again, it doesn't mean that they aren't there to help out.
“Everyone has been so dedicated, despite their own risk of potentially becoming infected," said Claudia Clark, Victim Advocate with UPD, "they are 100% committed to providing services to victims right now, in anyway they can.”
Clark says beyond police resources there are also therapists and nonprofit agencies ready, willing and able to help. She says for some people, quarantine is shedding light on issues they may have previously overlooked or not recognized.
“Maybe there were some signs but they were not really clear? And so now with everything being under a microscope, those kinds of red flags are becoming more apparent.”
If you are a victim or experiencing domestic violence, please call the domestic violence hotline - 800-897-LINK (5465)
