Domestic violence up in Collier County amid isolation

By Columnist Brent Batten
Naples Daily News

When making decisions to shut down parts of society to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the impact on the economy must be weighed against the public health risk of infection.

But those aren’t the only factors in play.

Mental health experts say it’s reasonable to expect the incidence of suicide to increase as the outbreak and attendant precautions spread.

A USA Today report noted, “Social distancing and quarantines may trigger those currently dealing with suicidal thoughts. And research shows the social and economic fallout from the pandemic may amplify the risk for some people well after the outbreak has ended.”

And then there’s domestic violence.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk told county commissioners his office had seen a 30% increase in the number of domestic violence calls received in the past week.

Specifically, on Sunday, March 22, after additional restrictions had taken hold, the Sheriff’s Office received 20 domestic violence calls. The Sunday before, the number was 12. Over the past six months, an average Sunday sees about 15 domestic violence calls, according to sheriff’s media relations bureau manager Karie Partington.

Maybe it was an anomaly. A statistical blip unrelated to the shelter in place recommendations and closure of restaurants, bars and other places of business.

The Naples Police Department didn’t report a similar spike. So far, NPD has received just one domestic violence call in March, compared to four in February and three in January.

Marco Island police likewise saw no increase. “It appears that our numbers are down from last week. Additionally, last week’s numbers are equal to last year’s numbers and overall, the month is consistent with the monthly numbers from last year,” Chief Tracy Frazzano wrote in an email.

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When making decisions to shut down parts of society to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the impact on the economy must be weighed against the public health risk of infection.

But those aren’t the only factors in play.

Mental health experts say it’s reasonable to expect the incidence of suicide to increase as the outbreak and attendant precautions spread.

And then there’s domestic violence.

On Tuesday, Sheriff Kevin Rambosk told county commissioners his office had seen a 30% increase in the number of domestic violence calls received in the past week.

Maybe it was an anomaly. A statistical blip unrelated to the shelter in place recommendations and closure of restaurants, bars and other places of business.

The Naples Police Department didn’t report a similar spike. So far, NPD has received just one domestic violence call in March, compared to four in February and three in January.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to 43 domestic violence calls in the last week of February, before the shutdowns and social isolation began and 29 the week ending March 24.

So, while the Collier sheriff’s experience doesn’t reflect a regional trend, it does suggest there may be a societal cost to hunkering down that goes beyond business’ bottom lines.

Loss of income, forced togetherness and disrupted routines can lead to anxiety and worse in the home.

“This is what we anticipated,” said Kaydee Tuff, spokeswoman for The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples.

Oddly, the increase in calls to the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t correspond to an increase in calls for help to the shelter.

Linda Oberhaus, CEO of the shelter, said victims may believe they have no choice but to stay where they are.

With so many businesses and government agencies closed, there may be a perception the shelter is closed as well. That’s not the case, Oberhaus said. The crisis line, 239-775-1101, is staffed 24 hours a day.

The website, naplesshelter.org, makes it clear. “You do not have to stay in an unsafe situation,” the home page message states.

“We’re open for service,” she said. “We’re available to support them. Reach out to us for help.”

Oberhaus speculates that victims that might otherwise have called the shelter waited until the situation escalated, then called the Sheriff’s Office, leading to the spike in calls.

The shelter and the Sheriff’s Office put out a joint statement Wednesday stressing that home isn’t a safe place for everybody and that help is available for those who need it.

“We don’t want the Sheriff’s Office to see another weekend like they had last weekend,” Oberhaus said.

“We also understand that these are unique and stressful times for everyone, and we encourage those who are experiencing extreme anxiety or signs of depression to seek help through the David Lawrence Center or another provider. We will get through this together as a community,” Partington wrote in an email.

“Families and/or roommates residing in the same dwelling that are having trouble getting along are encouraged to give each other space, seek other activities in the home, take a walk, etc.” offered Lt. Anita Iriarte of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Or, as Rambosk told commissioners Tuesday, “What we’ve really got to do is just engage the community and tell everybody to relax. Just engage in something else. Pick up a book,” he said.

That is more and more challenging with libraries closed and other things to engage in off limits. Those considerations need to be part of the shutdown calculus as well.