Domestic Violence and the Economy

Will unemployment and a downturn in the economy cause an increase in domestic violence?
Yes, says Linda Blozie, a spokeswoman for the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In fact, in a news report last month, Linda says the impact is already showing up in the rising number of women who are making their way to shelters for abused women in her state.
I agree with Linda. I think the stress of unemployment, and rising gas and grocery prices, will lead to more anger and drinking and battering, and that we’re going to read about more incidents where husbands and boyfriends bring their violence to the workplace ...
When the need for abused women’s shelters and services goes up the contributions that keep the shelters running goes down with a slowing economy. Let me know if this has already affected your ability to either deliver or attain services in your local communities?
Drugs, stress, unemployment and alcohol do not cause domestic violence but they can contribute to the lethality. Has the down turn in this economy affected the violence in your relationship?

Pamela