Avoiding public spaces and working remotely can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but for many survivors, staying home may not be the safest option.

Abuse is about power and control. When survivors are forced to stay in the home or in close proximity to the abuser more frequently, an abuser can use any tool to exert control over their victim, including a national health concern such as COVID-19.

Here’s how COVID-19 could uniquely impact intimate partner violence survivors:

• Abusive partners may withhold necessary items such as medications.
• Abusive partners may share misinformation to control or frighten survivors or to prevent them from seeking medical attention
• Survivors may fear entering shelter because of being in close quarters with groups of people.
• Survivors who are older or have chronic health conditions may be at increased risk in places where they would typically get support.
• An abusive partner may feel more justified and escalate their isolation tactics.

Create a safety plan.

A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to remain safe while in an abusive relationship, planning to leave, or after you leave. You can learn more about safety plans here, and you can find an interactive guide to safety planning here.

Adapted from: https://www.thehotline.org/2020/03/13/staying-safe-during-covid-19/