As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, non-essential businesses have been shut down and millions of people across the U.S. have been subjected to stay-at-home orders. But while this is to increase the safety of Americans, it has actually had the opposite effect for many.
In fact, due to this mandated confinement, many people who are confined in their homes are experiencing incidents of domestic violence, which is known as assault-family violence in Texas. If that isn’t concerning enough, according to an article in the Huffington Post, the number of lethal incidents of domestic violence only appears to be increasing.
A Spike in Murder-Suicides
While the U.S. generally sees approximately 11 murder-suicides each week between intimate partners or families, between March 27 and April 2, the publication reported that there was a minimum of 19 murder-suicides (including four that were attempted). It utilized Google alerts as well as gun violence databases to tally the numbers, therefore making it likely that there have been even more incidents that have been unaccounted for.
Although almost every incident reported involved a man as the aggressor who killed his wife and/or child prior to turning the gun on himself, it doesn’t mean that men can’t also be victims of domestic violence. In fact, on March 26 in Channelview, Texas, a suburb of Houston, a man was fatally shot by his wife in an incident of domestic violence.
Shelter-at-Home Orders Provide Easy Access to Victims
It’s no secret that both natural disasters, as well as pandemics, generally lead to a rise in incidents of domestic violence. After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, reports of domestic violence rapidly increased once again due to increased isolation at home.
While the rise in “DV” incidents continues to greatly impact our country during the Coronavirus pandemic, unfortunately, it is not alone. Other countries such as China, France, Greenland, and Australia have also reported higher rates of domestic violence since requiring citizens to stay at home.
This is likely because mandated home confinement often traps victims of domestic violence and provides them with fewer chances to escape or report their abuser. This is only compounded by the fact that abusers have increased access to their victims and support services are often less available during such times.
The Attorneys at Ceja Law Firm Help Those in Houston Who Have Been Charged with Domestic Violence
If you have been charged with an act of domestic violence (whether true or not), you are entitled to certain legal rights. That’s why it’s so important to contact a knowledgeable and experienced Texas criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
At Ceja Law Firm PLLC, we understand the seriousness of such a criminal charge and the impact that it can have on your entire life. We have successfully defended countless assault-family violence cases and have secured dismissals. acquittals and grand jury no bills for our clients. That’s why we will work to help you obtain the best possible outcome whether that’s helping to reduce your charges or to eliminate them completely. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!