KPBS Midday Edition

Preparing For An Increase In Domestic Violence Due To COVID-19

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Pat Finn / Producer

Published April 2, 2020 at 11:52 AM PDT

This story was published more than 4 years ago.

A domestic violence campaign billboard reads "Now is the time ... to help a friend," Oct. 4, 2018.

Stay-home orders to avoid the coronavirus will mean increased danger of domestic violence, experts fear. Abusers, stressed by unemployment, food insecurity and unpaid bills, may find additional ways to exercise control over their victims. New help for domestic violence sufferers is available locally.

San Diegans, like everyone else in California, are under orders to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. While following these orders will save lives, others will be put at greater risk of domestic violence.

If You Need Help

San Diego County Domestic Violence Hotline (also for sexual assault): 1-888-DVLINKS (385-4657) National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233; TTY 1-800-787-3224

The circumstances that are now part of everyday life -- confinement at home, loss of employment, money worries, food insecurity, stressers which increase tension and anxiety, can lead to increased domestic violence. Apparently researchers found increased domestic violence during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and more recently in Wuhan, China, ground zero for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Law enforcement and advocates against domestic violence in San Diego are mounting an effort to address the increased risk, which can take several forms. Those include physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as stalking, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's office

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San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and domestic violence victims' advocate Jessica Yaffa talk to Midday Edition on Thursday about resources available locally.

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KPBS Midday Edition COVID-19

Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Pat Finn

Pat Finn previously served as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and KPBS Evening Edition. Finn began her career in broadcasting at KTLA and KCET in Los Angeles. In 1979 she became KPBS’ Public Information Director, then Director of Advertising and Promotion, Program Director, and Director of Broadcasting. She oversaw the station’s local and national productions, including the one-hour documentary Los Romeros: The Royal Family of the Guitar, and Child Protective Services, a one-hour look inside the San Diego County agency responsible for the welfare of at risk children. Both programs also aired on public television stations nationwide. Finn has earned honors from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

See stories by Pat Finn