Conveniently Ignoring the Facts, NY Times Pushes COVID-19 Abuse Myths

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Stewart

Telephone: 513-479-3335

Conveniently Ignoring the Facts, NY Times Pushes COVID-19 Abuse Myths

WASHINGTON / May 20, 2020 – The Coalition to End Domestic Violence is alerting lawmakers about a recent New York Times article that provides erroneous information, plays on sex stereotypes, and reaches an erroneous conclusion. Titled, “Domestic Violence Calls Mount as Restrictions Linger: ‘No One Can Leave’” and written by Julie Bosman, the article addresses the domestic violence (DV) situation in Chicago under coronavirus stay-at-home policies (1).

The NYT piece, published on May 15, contains three serious flaws:

The article states that from January 1 to mid-April, domestic violence police calls increased 12%. But Governor Pritzker’s stay-at-home order took effect on March 21, and including information from January and February points to the wrong conclusion. When the Marshall Project looked at Chicago police reports beginning from March 8, it reached the opposite conclusion: “Domestic violence [is] down 23%.” (2)
The article quotes unnamed “authorities” as saying, “victims were in such close quarters with their abusers that they were unable to call the police.” Considering that a victim can go into the bathroom, turn on the shower, and dial 911 — all within a few seconds — this claim is not plausible.
The article reaches an ominous conclusion: “No one can leave.” But the governor’s stay-at-home order has a number of exceptions, including for reasons of health and safety: “To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, seeking emergency services, obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional.” (3)

The NYT article disempowers domestic violence victims – female or male — by portraying them as incapable of making a simple 911 call. The article never hints that abuse-prone persons – female or male – might be able to seek help by attending an anger management program.

Domestic violence is an important problem in the United States. But instead of providing readers with factual or useful information, Julie Bosman’s article plays on gender stereotypes, exacerbates persons’ fears, and advances a broader political narrative. The article does not meet minimum journalistic standards of accuracy, fairness, and balance.

An analysis of domestic violence-related police reports found that in 30 localities around the country, domestic violence calls were steady or fewer than before coronavirus restrictions were put in place. Only three cities reported a small increase in the number of calls (4). Editorialist Wendy McElroy recently concluded, “The NYT article is typical of a DV meme that is spreading quickly through the media and may soon be embedded in legislation. The assumption that stay-at-home orders are increasing DV must be questioned because it is deeply flawed.” (5)

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