ESPOSITO: Domestic abuse victims cannot be left behind
Virtually every news outlet has attempted to brace Americans for “the worst” that is expected to come within this next week.
On Sunday, in an effort to give Americans an understanding of what is to come, the United States Surgeon General compared the casualties of this week, deemed “the peak” of the virus, to be comparable to Pearl Harbor or the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
It is safe to say that Americans are in a frenzy, worrying about themselves, family and friends, thinking about who we could possibly lose. But for many, they are already experiencing the worst in their own homes.
Many of us are lucky in this time to have homes to retreat to. Though it can be exhausting having an entire family stuck inside, doing work and school remotely as we struggle to make this our new normal, we are lucky to have a safe haven as we wait for the inevitable spike of deaths.
But, there is more than just a fear of the spiking of the virus. In the midst of precaution, in the ocean of pure panic our country is facing, we are neglecting the people whose homes are not safe for them. We are neglecting the spike of suicide and domestic abuse in the wake of this virus, as people are forced to make do with their environment.
In terms of domestic abuse and mental health, now more than ever, these people need help. The cause of suicide can be described by many psychologists as “when there seems to be no means to an end."
When there is no hope for what is next, when it seems the vicious cycle you are repeating is deemed as your new forever, that is when suicide can occur. And as the news becomes everyone's new Bible, as we leave it on 24 hours a day and refresh our internet searches, looking for any and all updates, the phrase that has been recycled over and over again is “we do not know when this will end."
Sure, there are estimates and debates and research. But nobody knows, and nobody will know the exact date of when we can step outside of our houses and hug somebody hello. This can have a drastic effect on those who are suffering mentally.
In terms of domestic abuse, this past week the United Nations Secretary-General stood for a press conference and called upon every country to figure out ways to support victims of domestic abuse. He warned of “a horrifying surge in domestic violence,” especially for women and girls. “For many ... the threat looms largest where they should be safest — in their own homes."
Victim helplines have been ringing more than ever. In countries around the world, the number of people calling has doubled and tripled.
As social creatures, humans are weakest when they feel alone. And in this time of isolation, many are facing abuse, amplified mental health issues and nowhere to go, feeling helpless. Another phrase that has been trending since the beginning of our new lives of sheltering in place is “alone together."
We may not be able to touch our loved ones, but we cannot turn our backs on people who still need us. People still need an escape. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may have ceased many aspects of our lives, but it did not press pause on domestic abuse. It did not press pause on mental health issues. There are people in the world whose lives are still on the lines, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
So, what can we do? Experts say that the more connected people are, the less likely they are to commit suicide. This is not an individual issue. We are all in this together and as humans, if we want to come out of this pandemic with the least casualties it is our duty to try to make each other feel less alone. We need more resources, not just on a national scale but on a global scale.
Shelters must be deemed essential, people still need places to escape too. Hotlines must be taken advantage of. They must be run as efficiently as possible, even in this unprecedented situation. Telephone therapy is not covered by some insurance companies, but now more than ever, exceptions must be made.
And most importantly, these resources must be advertised and known. State governments are more concerned with trying to figure out whether abortion is an essential procedure and trying to push their own agendas than advocating for those who need their help the most. This has to become more of a conversation, because as we keep hearing “we do not know when this will end,” many people are running out of time.
These ramifications of this virus led to one of the most unprecedented moments in our history. Society is scrambling to fix our economy, to save as many lives as possible and just trying to make ends meet in general. But we cannot forget about those in vulnerable situations. We must live by the phrase “alone together."
Even if we cannot touch, we need to do our best for those who need it most. We can stay close emotionally, while still keeping our distance physically.
You are not alone.
National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1−800−799−7233
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Laura Esposito is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore majoring in journalism and political science. Her column, "Unapologetically," runs on alternate Tuesdays.
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