Covid-19 causes a surge in domestic violence

The year 2020 has been one of the most stressful on record. The combination of the pandemic, loss of work, sheltering at home, isolation, and even the ongoing political dialogue all add to it, pushing some beyond the breaking point. One outgrowth of that stress has been the increasing number of incidents of domestic violence around the globe. This has even led the UN secretary to speak out on the issue.

Natural disasters put families in crisis

We had not seen a global health crisis like Covid-19 since the Spanish Flu 100 years ago. However, floods, hurricanes, fires, and other natural disasters leave families with nowhere to turn. Unfortunately, no viable solutions in the short term can lead to families turning against each other. This is a fact that is proven time after time.

Fighting the charges is crucial

Family or domestic violence can mean charges ranging from misdemeanor to first-degree felony. Depending upon the charges’ details, there may be jail time and fines or other types of punishment. This is to say nothing of the damages caused by turning family members against family members.

With the virus continuing to ravage prison inmates and staff around the country, those facing potential charges should do everything in their power to avoid jail. It can mean seeking alternate forms of punishment, reducing the charges, probation, or deferred disposition for a minor. There is no excuse for violence, but many are overmatched by the challenges they face during these difficult times.

An experienced criminal law attorney can protect their client’s rights and tell their side of the story to the judge. The pandemic will one day be behind us, and it would be a disgrace to unnecessarily punish those unable to control the circumstances they faced during that time.