The Rise in Domestic Violence Updated 2025
All research information and facts are from the US National Library of Medicine and the W.H.O. articles on Domestic Violence – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4582621/
The Rise of Domestic Violence
Three years later, after all the chaos of the Pandemic, there has been an outbreak of another kind, it’s Domestic Violence, and it has hit an all-time high. Spousal abuse, child violence and abuse, and just about any other domestic crime are on the rise.
Put into the mix a global pandemic, then add stay-at-home orders, along with social distancing, and a tad of stir crazy. It’s enough to stress out anyone, and it has. Stress leads to vices like drinking and drug use, which in turn lead to more violence.
Human behavior is a fragile thing, and it takes little to push someone over the edge. Many alcoholics and drug users speak of how their lives were going great, and before they knew it, they were hooked on some form of drug or alcohol use. Just the stress from our daily lives, our jobs, is enough to cause many to drink regularly.
The Focus
We will mainly focus on alcohol and alcoholism for this article, as most of the domestic abuse is from the middle-aged demographic, as most do not do illegal drugs; the illicit demographic of drugs is average age 25, but varies from mid-teens to 30s and beyond.
Alcohol plays a big part in domestic violence; studies show men are 3 times more likely to abuse their wives and children while intoxicated.
According to the WHO, Domestic violence is defined as “every act or omission committed by some family member in a position of power, regardless of where it occurs, which harms the well-being, physical or psychological integrity, or freedom and right to full development of another family member.”
The WHO states that violent acts can be classified based on their type, including acts of physical and psychological abuse as well as sexual violence.
WHO Link
They can also be expressed as any form of neglect and abandonment- WHO Article Link . In family settings, violence and abuse can occur within relationships, including those with children, men, women, and the elderly – WHO Article link [link].
With increased emphasis on the victimization of women within partnerships, researchers recognize that women are sometimes the aggressor in the relationship, and concerning their children.
Domestic violence and alcohol. Many studies suggest that the relationship between alcohol consumption and violent behavior is a strong one. Although it is not possible to establish a simple or directly definable association to alcohol consumption due to the complexity of the relationship
WHO PDF link https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44173/9789241598408_eng.pdf
A study based in Brazil found evidence that the aggressor was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the event in over 50% of the cases of domestic violence.
The information includes other studies that suggest an association between alcohol consumption and violent behavior among intimate partners. However, a few studies have suggested that alcohol consumption is responsible for the severity of violent acts rather than the increase in acts of violence.
Others have made suggestions that it could be related to both an increase in overall domestic violence and the severity of the acts, and that the association between alcohol and violence is more intense with increased consumption. To understand how alcohol might be related to the severity of domestic violence, you must consider both the physical effects and the social aspects that may influence alcohol patterns and violent behavior.
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol plays a factor in violent acts because it has direct effects on physical and cognitive performance. It reduces self-control, which leads to more violence, as well as affecting our ability to make sound judgments and recognize the signs of danger. It is also possible that harmful amounts of alcohol are a coping mechanism used by victims to cope with stress caused by violent situations.
Although strong associations seem to exist between domestic violence and alcohol abuse among women, few studies have been conducted regarding the peculiarities of this association, especially in developing countries such as Brazil. Given this association, the WHO recommends measures to reduce the availability and the harmful consumption of alcohol as essential strategies to prevent violence.
Mental Disorders
There is some evidence on the success of brief interventions (BIs) in reducing various forms of violence, including domestic violence [1]. The virus has set the perfect condition for domestic abusers, forcing families to stay home, causing significant stress over contracting the disease, the stress of job security or losing your job altogether, and the stand-down orders for law enforcement to only go to emergency calls.
And given 80% of the time abuse goes unreported anyway, it’s like giving criminals free rein to abuse their families. It is a well-known fact that domestic violence grows when families spend more waking hours together.
Personal Crisis
Domestic violence. Many psychologists warned of the impending crisis the stay-at-home orders would cause. I guess the Government was too busy playing catch-up to the virus to worry about what might happen… Studies show that abusers are much more likely to kill their family members when in a personal crisis, such as job loss and strong financial burden, which can push abusers over the edge and lead to killing.
In case you or a loved one has been abused, here are some resources listed below. You’re not alone. Confidential help is available for free. National Sexual Assault
Crisis Hotline Information for each State
Crisis Hotlines
Hotline Call 1-800-656-4673 Available 24 hours everyday National Domestic Violence Hotline | Get Help Today | 1-800 … www.thehotline.org National Domestic Violence
Information
Hotline can help victims and survivors of domestic violence. Call 1-800-799-7233.
Below is a state directory for reporting child abuse and neglect State
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers, State toll-free numbers, and websites for specific agencies designated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.
States listed below in alphabetical order:
Alabama: https://dhr.alabama.gov/child-protective-services/child-abuse-neglect-reporting/. Click on the website above for information on reporting, or call Childhelp at 800-422-4453 for assistance.
Alaska Toll-Free: (800) 478-4444
Email: HSS.DBH@Alaska.gov http://dhss.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/default.aspx
To report via email: ReportChildAbuse@alaska.gov
Arizona Toll-Free: (888) SOS-CHILD (888-767-2445) https://dcs.az.gov/ Arizona’s Online Reporting Service for Mandated Reporters via secure website in non-emergency cases:https://dcs.az.gov/report-child-abuse
Arkansas Toll-Free: (800) 482-5964 https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/
California https://www.cdss.ca.gov/reporting/report-abuse/child-protective-services/report-child-abuse
Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Colorado Phone: 1-844-264-5437 Phone: (303) 866-5700 https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs
Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Connecticut Toll-Free: (800) 842-2288 TDD: (800) 624-5518 https://portal.ct.gov/DCF
Delaware Toll-Free: (800) 292-9582 https://kids.delaware.gov/ Online reporting https://kids.delaware.gov/fs/fs_iseethesigns.shtml
District of Columbia Local (toll): (202) 671-SAFE (202-671-7233) https://cfsa.dc.gov/service/report-child-abuse-and-neglect
Florida Toll-Free: (800) 96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline/ external link(opens in new window) Online Reporting http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline
Georgia Phone: (404) 657-3433 https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services/child-abuse-neglect Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance. Guam Phone: (671) 475-2672 Phone: (671) 475-2653
Hawaii Local (toll): (808) 832-5300 http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/ssd/home/child-welfare-services/ Idaho Phone: (208) 334-5437 Toll-Free: (800) 926-2588 https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Children/AbuseNeglect/ ChildProtectionContactPhoneNumb rs/tabid/475/Default.aspx
Illinois Toll-Free: (800) 252-2873 Local (toll): (217) 524-2606 https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/safekids/reporting/Pages/index.aspx Mandated reporters may use the online child abuse reporting system in non-emergency situations.
Indiana Toll-Free: (800) 800-5556 https://www.in.gov/dcs/ Iowa Toll-Free: (800) 362-2178 https://dhs.iowa.gov/home
Kansas Toll-Free: (800) 922-5330 http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/Report-Abuse-or-Neglect.aspx Online reporting for mandated reporters in non-emergency situations http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/PPS/Pages/KIPS/KIPSWebIntake.asp
Kentucky Toll-Free: (877) 597-2331 https://prdweb.chfs.ky.gov/ReportAbuse/Home.aspx
Louisiana Toll-Free: (855) 452-5437 http://dss.louisiana.gov/page/109 Online reporting portal for mandated reporters in non-emergency situations https://mr.dcfs.la.gov/c/MR_PortalApp.app Maine Toll-Free: (800) 452-1999 TTY: (800) 963-9490 https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocfs/hotlines.htm
Maryland http://dhr.maryland.gov/child-protective-services/reporting-suspected-child-abuse-or-neglect/local-offices/ Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Massachusetts Toll-Free: (800) 792-5200 https://www.mass.gov/child-abuse-and-neglect Michigan Toll-Free: (855) 444-3911 Fax: (616) 977-1154 https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73971_7119—,00.html Mandated Reporter online reporting system coming soon
Minnesota: https://mn.gov/dhs/report-abuse/ Click the website above for information on reporting, or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Mississippi Phone: (601) 432-4570 Toll-Free: (800) 222-8000 https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/report-child-abuse-neglect/ https://reportabuse.mdcps.ms.gov/ Reporting via online system or by downloading the MDCPS Report Child Abuse mobile app https://www.mdcps.ms.gov/report-child-abuse-neglect/
Missouri Toll-Free: (800) 392-3738 https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.Online reporting for mandated reporters in non-emergency situations: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/keeping-kids-safe/can.htm
Montana Toll-Free: (866) 820-5437 https://dphhs.mt.gov/cfsd/index Nebraska Phone: (402) 471-3121 Toll-Free: (800) 652-1999 http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Child-Abuse.aspx Nevada http://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/CPS/CPS/ Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
New Hampshire Phone: (603) 271-6562 Toll-Free: (800) 894-5533 https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cps/stop.htm New Jersey Toll-Free: (877) 652-2873 TDD: (800) 835-5510 TTY: (800) 835-5510 https://www.nj.gov/dcf/reporting/hotline/
New Mexico Toll-Free: (855) 333-7233 https://cyfd.org/
New York Toll-Free: (800) 342-3720 TDD: (800) 369-2437 Local (toll): (518) 474-8740 https://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/Default.asp North Carolina https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
North Dakota http://www.nd.gov/dhs/services/childfamily/cps/#reporting Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance. Ohio Toll-Free: (855) 642-4453 http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocf/reportchildabuseandneglect.stm
Oklahoma Toll-Free: (800) 522-3511 https://www.ok.gov/health/Family_Health/Family_Support_and_Prevention_Service/ Oklahoma_Child_Abuse_Hotline/index.html
Oregon Toll-Free: (855) 503-SAFE (7233) https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/children/child-abuse/Pages/Reporting-Numbers.aspx Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Pennsylvania Toll-Free: (800) 932-0313 TDD: (866) 872-1677 https://www.dhs.pa.gov/contact/Pages/Report-Abuse.aspx Online reporting portal for mandated reporters in non-emergency situations https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/homeexternal link(opens in new window)
Puerto Rico Toll-Free: (800) 981-8333 Local (toll): (787) 749-1333 Rhode Island Phone: (401) 528-3500 Toll-Free: (800) RI-CHILD (800-742-4453) http://www.dcyf.ri.gov/child-protective-services/
South Carolina Local (toll): (803) 898-7318 https://dss.sc.gov/abuseneglect/report-child-abuse-and-neglect/ Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
South Dakota TTY: (877) 244-0864 https://dss.sd.gov/childprotection/ Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Tennessee Toll-Free: (877) 237-0004 https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/child-safety/reporting/child-abuse.html Online reporting https://apps.tn.gov/carat/
Texas Toll-Free: (800) 252-5400 https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/report_abuse.asp
Online reporting https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx
U.S. Virgin Islands Virgin Islands http://www.dhs.gov.vi/contact/index.html
Utah Phone: 1-855-323-3237 https://dcfs.utah.gov/
Vermont After hours: (800) 649-5285 https://dcf.vermont.gov/protection/reporting
Virginia Toll-Free: (800) 552-7096 Local (toll): (804) 786-8536 https://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cps/index.cgi
Washington Toll-Free: (866) END-HARM (866-363-4276) Toll-Free: (800) 562-5624 TTY: (800) 624-6186 https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/safety/report-abuse
West Virginia Toll-Free: (800) 352-6513 https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Services/Pages/Centralized-Intake-for-Abuse-and-Neglect.aspx
Wisconsin https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse
Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Wyoming https://www.wyomingcac.org/prevent-child-abuse/reporting-child-abuse
Click on the website above for information on reporting or call Childhelp (800-422-4453) for assistance.
Its a long list be we covered most states and territories. Please call one of the number listed above if you’re being abused don’t wait!
Author – Bill Petros
Contributor – Katie Jane
Copyright © 2011-2025 Network World News | All rights reserved
