There is no doubt that the COVID-19 crisis has seen an increase in the incidence of family violence.

Movement restrictions aimed to stop the spread of coronavirus are leading to violence in homes becoming more frequent, more severe and more dangerous.

In my own practise, I have seen a spike in the incidence and severity of family violence in holiday periods, as well as periods of increased stress, such as the recent bushfires.

The Australian Government’s Institute of Criminology reported in 2018 that substance use and family violence are closely linked. The Australian Drug Foundation have also recently discussed the increased use of alcohol and other drugs since the COVID crisis began.¹