Social Distancing, Stimulus Payments, and Domestic Violence: Evidence from the US during COVID-19
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 112,
May 2022
(pp. 262-66)
Abstract
We examine the effects of social distancing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the reporting of domestic violence to the police in the United States. Using daily domestic violence calls from 31 police departments from January to September 2020 (compared to 2019), we find that the early spike in police calls disappears around mid-April, coinciding with the distribution of CARES Act stimulus payments. We observe that domestic violence calls for areas with higher concentration of Hispanics and noncitizens remain elevated even after this period. These results underscore the importance of improved access to social safety programs in combating domestic violence.Citation
Erten, Bilge, Pinar Keskin, and Silvia Prina. 2022. "Social Distancing, Stimulus Payments, and Domestic Violence: Evidence from the US during COVID-19." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 112: 262-66. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20221011Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- E32 Business Fluctuations; Cycles
- H51 National Government Expenditures and Health
- I12 Health Behavior
- I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
- K42 Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law