Abstract
BackgroundAs the early peak phase in the coronavirus outbreak has intensified, stay-at-home mandates requiring identified individuals as nonessential were advised to remain home to prevent community transmission of the disease. Further mandates escalated isolated environments such as school closures, social distancing, travel restrictions, closure of public gathering spaces, and business closures. As citizens were forced to stay home during the pandemic, the crisis created intensifying stressors and isolation, which fostered an environment for increased domestic violence. MethodsA retrospective review of all emergency department (ED) patients that presented to an American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified rural level one trauma center with associated diagnostic coding for assault was conducted during the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, integral dates March 16, 2020 to April 30, 2020. In particular the identification of proportional assaults that presented to the ED after school closures (March 16, 2020) was compared to the previous year (March 16, 2019 to April 30, 2019). The data collected included patient characteristics, grouping by mechanism, grouping by a specific mechanism, and domestic violence perpetrators. ResultsA statistically significant (p = 0.01) increase in assaults was found during the COVID-19 lockdown, particularly during the period after school closures. ConclusionsAlthough overall trauma volume was reduced during the COVID-19 stay-at-home mandates, a significant increase in domestic violence assaults was observed. Largely the assaults were perpetrated against white men by partners and unspecified nonfamily members, which were predominantly penetrating injuries.
Highlights
Global reports suggest a much higher incidence of domestic violence during the early peak phase of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as compared to previous years [1,2]
A retrospective review of all emergency department (ED) patients that presented to an American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified rural level one trauma center with associated diagnostic coding for assault was conducted during the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, integral dates March 16, 2020 to April 30, 2020
A statistically significant (p = 0.01) increase in assaults was found during the COVID-19 lockdown, during the period after school closures
Summary
Global reports suggest a much higher incidence of domestic violence during the early peak phase of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as compared to previous years [1,2]. Some contributing factors known to increase the prevalence of domestic violence include social isolation, economic stressors, boredom, lack of control, fear, and lack of access to support measures [3,4]. The mental health effects of COVID-19 have resulted in profound increases in domestic violence and suicide; little is known regarding the impact of the pandemic among rural populations [6]. As citizens were forced to stay home during the pandemic, the crisis created intensifying stressors and isolation, which fostered an environment for increased domestic violence
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