“Many people are affected by a rise in IPV or Intimate Partner Violence during Covid,” says author Gene Heil. Domestic violence spiked during COVID-19 leaving victims trapped in homes during the lockdown period and beyond. All across the country during the initial months of the pandemic, hotline organizations braced themselves for the spike and it surprised them when the number of calls dropped, but only long enough for them to figure out what was really going on. Their answer lied in hospitals and other organizations that saw increases in the number of domestic violence and intimate partner violence cases. Trapped people couldn’t call the hotlines, or leave their homes to get help, and many wound up battered and bruised in hospitals.
This rise in domestic and intimate partner violence reflects the rise in stress levels, financial stress, and other dysfunctions associated with COVID, and sometimes the empowering of aggressors against their victims. This type of violence affects children and adults. IPV affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men.
Author Gene Heil discusses in his book, God Loves Messed Up People, the terrible nature of being trapped in an abusive home. He got abused by an alcoholic father and raped by his brother. He encourages victims to get to safety as soon as possible and not to remain silent, but to find a safe way to report the abuse.
He discusses his symptoms to help parents identify children that may live with abuse but are silent. Heil states, “Talk to their teachers to see if they are falling a sleep in class or their grades dropping.” He recalls developing insomnia because of his trauma. Other signs are sudden shifts in moods, unusual quietness, or becoming withdrawn. He also noted that a significant drop of self-esteem is another sign that something is going wrong. Be aware of those symptoms with children in your home, or children that you know.
Here are some resources available to those suffering from domestic violence or intimate partner violence:
Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)
Child Help National Child Abuse Hotline (800 422-4453)
National Domestic Violence Hotline (text LOVEIS or 22522)
Heil wrote his book not only to expose the symptoms of domestic abuse to people but also to provide inspiration for victims letting them know there is hope for recovery, and a better life ahead for those that move beyond silence and get professional help. Copies of God Loves Messed Up People is available at Gene Heil Ministries.
Contact Information:
Gene Heil
wordoflife70@yahoo.com