Sheltering in place and domestic violence: Evidence from calls for service during COVID-19

Emily Leslie and Riley Wilson

Journal of Public Economics, 2020, vol. 189, issue C

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an economic slowdown as more people practice social distancing and shelter at home. The increase in family isolation, unemployment, and economic stress has the potential to increase domestic violence. We document the pandemic's impact on police calls for service for domestic violence. The pandemic increased domestic violence calls by 7.5% during March through May of 2020, with effects concentrated during the first five weeks after social distancing began. The increase in reported domestic violence incidents began before official stay-at-home orders were mandated. It is not driven by any particular demographic group but does appear to be driven by households without a previous history of domestic violence.

Keywords: Coronavirus; COVID-19; Domestic violence; Calls for service (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 J12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (155)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:189:y:2020:i:c:s0047272720301055

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104241

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