NJ Courts COVID Response Causes Problems for Domestic Violence Victims

Overall crime numbers are down across New Jersey since the beginning of the pandemic. But when it comes to domestic violence, state administrators, lawyers and service organizations say, that might not be good news.

"It's not that we think that incidents are actually down, but that it's just more difficult to seek out that help," said Anna Martinez, director of the New Jersey Division on Women, which provides services to reduce domestic violence. "Isolation is already a tool used by the abuser and now this just gives abusers more control and a sense of forced isolation due to the stay at home order."

It can be difficult just to make a private phone call. Shelters are open, but the pandemic has made group-living risky. And it is now more difficult to get a restraining order. 

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Despite the pandemic,  services and protections are available. If you or anyone you know needs help, call the New Jersey domestic violence hotline 1-800-572-SAFE (7233).