The impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders on domestic violence assaults: A study of New South Wales

Introduction of stay-at-home orders during the COVID 19 pandemic led to immediate disruption of individuals' daily routines with confinement to their households and changes in risk factors of domestic violence. Utilising data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), I estimate the causal impact of stay-at-home orders on domestic violence assaults in New South Wales. Since adoption dates for these restrictions varied across LGAs, I implement a staggered difference-in-difference (DiD) specification. I find a 21% decline in daily domestic violence assault incidents during stay-at-home order periods compared to pre-restriction incidence levels. These results are robust under weekly frequency and extrapolated fixed effects models. I further utilise google search term data as a proxy of consistent reporting rates and unemployment data to identify household power dynamics. Analysis of both data sets support estimates of declines in domestic violence during stay-at-home order periods.