Sen. Ernst, Rep. Axne Succumb to Coronavirus Hoax, Fabricate Novel Abuse Myths

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Stewart

Telephone: 513-479-3335

Sen. Ernst, Rep. Axne Succumb to Coronavirus Hoax, Fabricate Novel Abuse Myths

WASHINGTON / June 5, 2020 – Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Cindy Axne sent a letter yesterday to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, requesting that she direct federal coronavirus funds to provide housing and shelter services for victims of domestic violence (1). Unfortunately, the letter promotes five glaring coronavirus myths. False statements from the letter are shown in bold face, below:

“We know that survivors of domestic violence are not safe at home, and the danger they face has been exacerbated by COVID-19.” FACT: There has been no evidence of an increase of domestic violence in Iowa in the last two months. In Cedar Rapids: “Public Information officer for the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Greg Buelow, tells Iowa’s News Now, there’s been no statistically significant increase in calls for domestic violence since the Governor’s Public Health Emergency Proclamation.” (2) In Des Moines, “Sgt. Paul Parizek, spokesperson for the Des Moines Police Department, provided Watchdog a mix of the domestic calls that police have responded to in recent days. He called them ‘garden-variety,’ in that none were related specifically to coronavirus.” (3)
“Children are especially vulnerable in this time.” FACT: On April 22, Ombudsman Kristie Hirschman revealed, “Child-abuse reports to [the Department of Human Services] fell from 5,033 in February to 4,209 in March, a drop of more than 16 percent….This March’s numbers were also well below those of March 2019, when 4,813 reports were made. States all across the country are reporting even sharper decreases in April.” (4) While this decline may be partly attributable to less school-based mandatory reporting, there is no actual evidence that children in Iowa are “especially vulnerable.”
“Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children.” FACT: According to a U.S. Conference of Mayors survey, the top causes of homelessness are: lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, and low wages (5). The survey does not mention domestic violence as a “leading cause” of homelessness (5). In addition, 63% of homeless persons are male and 37% female, a key fact that was missing from the Ernst-Axne letter (6).
“Domestic violence victims routinely face eviction for the actions of their abusers.” FACT: While this was a problem in the distant past, such eviction actions are now prohibited under the federal Violence Against Women Act. The ACLU explains, “The Violence Against Women Act of 2005 requires public housing authorities to use leases that make clear that domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking is not good cause for evicting the victim of that violence.” (7)
Iowans must address the “challenges of safely providing emergency shelter services.” FACT: According to a May 31 article in The Daily Beast, shelter utilization around the country has plummeted in recent weeks. Domestic violence experts around the country acknowledge, “they are still waiting for survivors to show up at their doors.” (8)

In addition, Gov. Kim Reynolds claimed at a May 4 press conference that domestic violence has increased as a result of coronavirus policies. In truth, domestic violence numbers have decreased in many cities around the country, according to police reports (9).

According to the Globe Gazette, “Reynolds did not cite specific data during the briefing. Her spokesman said he would provide the data by Friday afternoon. The data had not yet been provided when this story was published.” (10) In researching this press release, CEDV staff repeatedly contacted the governor’s office requesting verification of the claim, but received no reply.

Despite good intentions, the Coalition to End Domestic Violence deplores the easily refuted claims made by Sen. Ernst and Rep. Axne, which serve to muddle thoughtful debate how to control the coronavirus threat, and frustrate evidence-based efforts to reduce domestic violence.

Commentator Wendy McElroy recently concluded, “The assumption that stay-at-home orders are increasing DV must be questioned because it is deeply flawed.” (11) Corrine Barraclough reaches a more pointed conclusion: “The myth that domestic violence is surging in lockdown will become one of the biggest lies the gendered narrative leans on for additional funding.” (12)

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