I am a member of the interpersonal Violence Working GroupA sub-group of the American Psychological Association (APA) Interdivisional Task Force for the pandemic.

The mission of the Interpersonal Violence Working Group is to find, create, and disseminate psychological resources to assist those people who are in danger of experiencing and or perpetrating physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse during the pandemic.

We promote the use of tools for emotional regulation to help manage overwhelming emotions arising from the pandemic and enhance safety. It is understood that the stress of the novel coronavirus and necessary sheltering-in-place may exacerbate domestic violence and child abuse in families.

The CDC has found a three-fold increase of intimate partner violence since the onset of the stressors brought about by the coronavirus. Also, children brought to emergency rooms following abuse are more seriously injured. Murder-suicide rates are rising. This is consistent with reports from other countries. In addition to leaving the situation, new ways need to be found to better protect vulnerable populations such as strengthening emotional regulation tools and decreasing power and control needs.

We will disseminate resources on the social media we have created as well as other places available to this group. We get together every Thursday on ZOOM at 12 pm eastern US time. Check our FB page COVIDIPV were we have many resources and most of our video roundtables available.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/244233300190916

Please check my presentation in our 4th Roundtable: Shaking off Depressed Mood in Uganda.

My Keynote presentation for our 4th Roundtable.