A report by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice shows that domestic violence has increased by 8.1%. 

This all during the 2020 pandemic and quarantine period. 

Kim Kavern, the senior director of the Crime Victim Assistance Program for Safe Horizon, says that tensions are high which results in an increase in domestic violence numbers. 

"The pandemic has been very stressful for everyone and while stress doesn't cause domestic violence it certainly increases its prevalence and the intensity, so I don't think it was surprising to any of us to hear that rates increased over the past year,” said Kavern. 

Kavern wants people to know that help is available for free and completely confidential at any time.

For help call 1-800-621-HOPE(4673) or visit the website www.safehorizon.org.