Key Points
Question
Are there associations between the COVID-19 stay-at-home order issued March 2020 in Chicago, Illinois, and the rate of domestic violence (DV) police reporting and resource availability?
Findings
In this cohort study of 77 Chicago community areas, the stay-at-home order was associated with a decrease in the rate of DV police reports by 21.8 crimes per 100 000 persons per month relative to the same months in 2019, a finding observed largely in Black communities, with no significant change in White communities. Resource availability decreased by 5.1 resources per 100 000 persons.
Meaning
The decreased rate of DV police reports during the stay-at-home order, especially in Black majority communities, may be due to decreased DV incidence or exacerbated underreporting; resource availability also decreased on the predominantly Black south side of Chicago.
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