Bystander Intervention – Domestic Violence

How COVID-19 has impacted intimate partner violence

COVID-19 has compounded stress and the associated risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) such as unemployment, reduced income, limited resources, and limited social support.[1]

Now, more than ever, it is easier for an abusive partner to completely isolate their partner. Social isolation has further increased opportunities of coercive and controlling behaviors for abusive partners who are already controlling survivors’ whereabouts, telephone conversations, and access to social media.

Collective care 

Despite the fear and uncertainty our communities are facing, there are ways to maintain connectedness, support, and hope. Violence can be prevented at the community-level by reducing social isolation and improving economic opportunities.
In response to COVID-19, we saw communities across the country mobilize around collective care and mutual aid in creative and impactful ways that center those who are most vulnerable. Looking for ways to support the health and well-being of our neighbors is a way of build which embody love, trust, equity, respect, freedom, safety, and justice for all.

During this time, family life has become more visible to other community members. Neighbors have never before played such a critical “bystander” role as they do during periods of households’ physical isolation. Additionally, bystanders, including family, friends, neighbors and co-workers, have always played a key role in supporting survivors and facilitating help-seeking. Research has repeatedly shown that these informal sources of support are often the first point of contact for survivors. Bystanders can play a substantial role in encouraging or discouraging further disclosures of intimate partner violence. At the same time, however, research has identified that many bystanders, while concerned for their neighbor, friends or family member, feel helpless as to how to respond to witnessing or suspecting violence.

This is our opportunity to practice collective care, supporting the whole, and maintaining connectedness. While it’s not as simple as asking someone if they are experiencing violence, it can be as simple as checking-in, finding ways to communicate despite social distancing, providing support to ease the stresses of the pandemic – these can be impactful ways to let your community (friends, family, neighbors) know that you are there to support them.

Addressing Intimate Partner Violence

It can be daunting to think of ways that you can intervene and take action in the face of a potentially dangerous situation. Being a bystander requires more than being prepared with resources. In order to be a bystander, you have to build love, trust, equity, and respect. You might feel like
you don’t know the right thing to do or even what the right thing is. That is okay. There is no roadmap to the perfect solution. All we can do is move forward with compassion and willingness to connect.

The most important thing you can do is to keep in touch with your friends, family, neighbors and keep on checking-in whether you suspect they are or are not experiencing violence.

Bystander intervention is crucial to addressing intimate partner violence: not only might this strategy actually prevent specific incidents of violence, but it challenges us all to consider our role in a culture that allows violence to occur. You can do your part by starting a conversation, offering support and suggesting ways to get help.

This is a call to action, each one of us can be a part of building a social fabric which transforms isolation within our communities into connectedness and caring for the whole.

24-hour Georgia Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-33-HAVEN (42836) 

24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

For teens who are experiencing domestic violence, you can get help by texting 706-765-8019

Below are resources that are specific to neighborhood resources, workplace, campus, and family and friends.

General  resources:

Neighborhood resources to build supportive communities:

  • COVID-19 Collective Care. Comprehensive resource that includes tips for things like supporting the most vulnerable populations in your community
  • How to Neighborhood Pod. If you’re willing to take on the responsibility of being your neighborhood’s point person, this guide explains what that entails, has suggestions for getting started, and links out to more relevant resources.
  • A Neighborly Invitation Regarding Coronavirus. This is a form letter you can copy, edit, and distribute to your neighbors to get a community group off the ground; the letter asks them for basic details (like name and phone number) and invites them to share what they might need and be able to offer others.
  • Community Care and Mutual Aid Sign-Up. This Google form is another way to collect information from your neighbors. (Caveat: It can’t be distributed in person. If you need something more accessible, or you don’t have everyone’s contract information yet, use it as a jumping-off point to create a worksheet to print and distribute.)
  • How to Help Others Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Feeling Helpless Because of Coronavirus? Here Are 11 Things You Can Do. Ways to help yourself and others in your community who may be hit hardest by COVID-19 and cancellations.

Workplace resources to support survivors:

Family and friend resources to support survivors:

Classmate/campus resources to support survivors:

  • Green Dot Campaign is based on the idea that peer influence often predicts behavior. In instances of harmful or violent words, actions, or behaviors, each person has a choice to ignore or accept (a red dot) or intervene to address it (a green dot).
  • Bringing in the Bystander This campaign is part of a marketing and social research project from the University of New Hampshire. The site provides tips and resources that are directed at the students at UNH but can be useful for similar audiences. Additionally, there is a very well designed and developed poster campaign that can be purchased called Know Your Power.

 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7152912/